Leaders often think their job is to provide the correct answer. It’s what they’ve been rewarded and promoted for throughout their careers. Yet, shifting from a mindset of “I need to provide the right answers” to “I want to ask the right questions” often serves us and those around us much better.
For example, in a coaching session the other day, my client was starting his seventh day at a new job. He and I discussed what he was noticing thus far: he thought the team had some strong performers, but they weren’t particularly engaged or motivated. He believed a misaligned incentive structure and lack of coherent organizational strategy were to blame.
He was already formulating the plan he thought he needed to bring to the other executives. He sounded enthusiastic, yet uncertain, feeling the pressure to get it right.
I reflected to him: “It sounds like you need to provide the right solutions. What would it look like to collaboratively build those solutions, instead? What questions might you ask others?”
He paused and reflected for a moment. You could almost see the weight of needing to get it right lift from his shoulders.
He started listing out his hypotheses as questions to ask, rather than solutions to implement. He became energized by the possibility of using his questions to build relationships, engage others’ perspectives, and create co-owned solutions. He shifted from a mindset of certainty to curiosity. 🌟
In this curiosity, he recognized the opportunity to ask rather than know. To engage rather assert.