Do you Ask Good Questions?

Content by George Chu / edit by Sang Xu

Effective managers need to learn to ask good questions. Our Lord Jesus set a great example in the New Testament asking over hundreds of questions to government officials, Pharisees, teachers, people listening to his teaching and disciples. We are amazed by how masterfully Jesus utilized questions to teach vital spiritual truths or to make people reflect. Jesus did not ask a question to obtain the answer. He questioned the way as a surgeon uses a scalpel to delicately cut into a new level of understanding.

So what are the effects when managers ask good questions?

Good questions first alert the subordinates that as their managers you are not only aware of the situation but also have a deep understanding of it. The questions send out a strong message that you sincerely care about the situation, have thought it through and may already have possible solutions in mind.

Good questions tend to extend dialogue among everyone in the room because they stir people’ mind, stimulate their thoughts and force them to reflect. Managers utilize good questions to control the discussion and help the group to stay focused on the essence of the issue. While people tend to be distracted by the mess surrounding the core issue, good questions tell them what is important. As people are mentally challenged and interested by the questions, they would like to think deeply to find the root of the issue and creatively search for options to solve the issue. In such organic discussions, more facts and truth may emerge out in an unexpected way.

Good questions also influence subordinates to proactively “buy in” management’s perspectives. When companies decide to expand or discontinue a business line, change an operation strategy, conduct restructuring, purchase back stock or move the headquarter, employees at the manager-below level may not know the “concepts behind the mechanics”. They may not know the grand scheme of the picture, the scenarios analyzed, assumptions made and various risk levels compared. Instead of purely informing what is going to happen, managers ask good questions to involve the subordinates to think what drives management’s strategic decision. Reasoning first and consent second steps employees into management’s perspectives.

Hope as we learn to be a good leaders, we know how to ask good questions. God bless!