Unlock Leadership by asking Better Questions

If you’re like me, you’re slowly getting accustomed to living with AI. Whether you use ChatGPT or some other platform to help you write, think or create a travel itinerary, AI is here to stay.

What I notice about using AI platforms is that if you want a better answer, you have to ask a better question. I’ve heard many people advise that the future is being able to write prompts for platforms like ChatGPT. 

Writing a prompt = designing a great question.

If I pose a question to ChatGPT, it can only create an answer that reflects what I asked. Sometimes I will say, “No, I mean this” or “Include this parameter.” AI comes back as if it's a very understanding friend and says “Gotcha!” and then provides the refined answer.

The AI answers are only as good as the information I ask it. To use that tool properly, one needs to ask better questions in order to get better answers.

This is true for leaders when using the coaching leadership style. Coaching is asking a series of questions to move people from point A to point B by having the person who comes to you with an issue be involved in the solution process. It’s a way to empower people rather than having to tell them what to do. 

For leaders, the power is in being able to ask good questions that take people somewhere (toward the solution).

Check out this example:

Senior Leader asks a Team Lead: “What’s your greatest challenge right now?”

Team Lead might answer:“Well…we’ve been juggling competing priorities, and it’s been hard to keep up.”

The Team Lead's mind is directed to give any number of challenges they might be facing including personal issues based on the more general question posed my her manager. This question “What’s your greatest challenge right now?” is still broad and the leader needs to go deeper. 

VERSUS

Senior Leader asks Team Lead:“What’s the greatest challenge your team is facing this month that could prevent you from hitting your top priorities?”

Team Lead might answer:

“The biggest issue is that two of my team members are splitting their time between this project and supporting another department. If we don’t resolve that, we’ll miss our deadlines for client delivery.”

Just by re-structuring the question, the leader was more specific, therefore, the Team Lead's response was specific. Now they can quickly work together to find a solution. 

My point is to consider how you ask questions.

Questions help power your leadership. 

I encourage you to consider the almighty QUESTION as you navigate this week at work. Use it to your advantage. For your next meeting, put it on your agenda to practice better questions. You will notice a difference. And so will others! Unlock your leadership by asking better questions.

Coaching Question: What would change if you got curious at work this week?

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