Lessons from the Field #19
The Questions We Ask
Early in my leadership career, I thought my value came from having the answers.
If someone brought me a problem, I solved it.
If a store was struggling, I told them what to do.
If a leader needed direction, I gave it.
It felt like leadership.
But over time, I realized something.
Every time I gave the answer…
I stole an opportunity for someone else to discover it.
Today, I try to lead differently.
Instead of asking,
“Why did this happen?”
I ask,
“What do you think led to this?”
Instead of saying,
“Here’s what you need to do.”
I ask,
“If you were leading this store, what would your next step be?”
Because great questions don’t just solve today’s problem.
They develop tomorrow’s leader.
I’ve learned that the quality of our leadership is often reflected in the quality of the questions we ask.
Questions create ownership.
Questions build confidence.
Questions develop critical thinking.
And sometimes…
The best coaching happens when the leader talks less and listens more.
Not because they don’t know the answer.
Because they’re helping someone else discover it.
Expectation
Lead with curiosity before certainty.
Develop people by asking questions that help them think—not just comply.
Leader Action
• Ask before you answer.
• Replace assumptions with curiosity.
• Give people time to think before filling the silence.
• Coach people to discover solutions instead of depending on yours.
• Remember that every question is an opportunity to develop someone.
Because at the end of the day…
The best leaders aren’t remembered for having all the answers.
They’re remembered for asking the questions that helped others find their own.
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