Let’s talk about how we ask questions as leaders.
Some questions are better than other questions.
You don’t want to ask a question where your people will have to respond negatively:
- “Have you completed the project yet?”
- “Well, no but we’re almost done.”
Instead, ask a question that they can respond positively to:
- “Have you made progress on the project?”
- “Well, yes and we’re almost done.”
Perhaps, even better, could be, “Tell me how the project is going.” This is guaranteed not to put them in a bad position because they can talk about what progress they’ve made. That will make them feel good about what they are accomplishing.
So, today’s Leadership Nudge is:
Ask questions that people can respond affirmatively to.
Avoid the “No, but…” questions.
I’m David Marquet. That’s your Leadership Nudge.
