Thursday, May 17, 2012

Asking Questions is Leadership


One of the TV programmes I have enjoyed watching is Undercover Boss. The basic premise that the CEO goes back to the shop floor undercover to experience first hand where his company is really at. Connecting with his staff as a work colleague rather than a leader.

The experience is always very enlightening as by having an every day conversation and ASKING QUESTIONS he finds out how his decisions have effected the workforce and also gains wisdom from those he is leading to help make changes for the better.

Many of the documentaries have shown how simple dialogue has uncovered:

Solutions to huge company problems.
New directions to take.
Great leadership sitting right under the bosses nose.

All because a TV programme contrived communication that was always there to be had. They just never saw the value in it.

So whatever you are leading, remember you only see things the way that YOU see them, and no matter how good you are you never see things fully as they are. If you think you do that's called pride.

So if you are leading a team, a family or a church, here are a few questions to ask from Ron Edmondson:

  • What can we learn from this? 
  • Do you understand what I’m asking you to do? 
  • How can I help you? 
  • What’s next? 
  • Where should we be placing our best energy? 
  • What am I missing or forgetting? 
  • How can we do it better next time? 
  • What do you think? 
  • What changes could we implement to make your work life better? 
  • What would you do differently if you had my position? 
  • Are you enjoying your work? 
  • How can I improve my communication with you?
Don't fall into the trap that as the leader you have to be the expert in everything. To live unchallenged. To view not knowing as weakness. Ask questions.....

1 comments:

norumorsnolies said...

I love Undercover Boss! I think more bosses should do what they are doing.

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