In the dynamic world of leadership, the difference between good and great often lies in asking JUST ONE extra question before diving into solutions. If you've been valued for having all the answers for most of your life, as a leader, this habit might not serve you well. Let me tell you...
💡 Why? 🚦
The Crucial Pause:Â Assumptions hide beneath the surface of our advice. Our experiences shape our interpretation of information, and those mental shortcuts, while time-saving, can lead to biased advice. As leaders, our responses carry weight. Solving problems without crucial information can result in advice that's off the mark, leading to wasted time and effort from our teams. Instead, it's vital to slow down, grasp the situation, and identify the real obstacles.
Building Critical Thinking & Motivation: Remember the age-old saying, "teach a man to fish, and he'll eat forever." In leadership, rapid-fire solutions take away opportuni
ties for our teams to develop critical thinking. When we jump in with solutions, we rob them of their own opportunity to learn how to catch fish themselves. Asking thoughtful questions becomes the key to teaching them a process for effective problem-solving. The key benefit is that when they come up with their own answers, they are more bought in and motivated. Next time, they have a way to solve the problem themselves.
Your Curiosity Fosters Trust: A leader's true strength lies in modeling curiosity and believing in the resourcefulness of the team and your direct reports. When your team sees you prioritize questions over instant answers, they'll follow suit. Trust is paramount. Choosing curiosity over judgment fosters open communication. When your team knows that curiosity is met with understanding, team dialogue flourishes—an essential element for effective teams.
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