By Neil Phillips.

Do you know a leader’s best friend?  It’s curiosity! Curiosity keeps you searching for problems to solve, answers, and information. Strong leaders know that they don’t have all the answers, so they search. Curious leaders ask lots of questions.

Not all questions are created equal. Some questions have the power to communicate caring and curiosity, while others speak judgment. If you want your team to be open and willing to share, you will want to know the difference!

The Power Questions – Who, What, Where, When & How

Questions that begin with these can uncover what people are thinking. Listen carefully, and you will hear what is creating their success or hindering it. As you listen, more power questions will emerge and keep the conversations flowing.  Try these:

  • What happened when…?
  • What were your results?
  • How did you discover that?
  • Who did you meet that would make a great team member?
  • Where could you learn more about that?
  • When will you know you have achieved that?

Questions like these call for short answers or essays.  They are not T-F or multiple choice.

The Conversation Stoppers – Would, Should, Is, Are, and Do you think.

These questions lead to yes or no answers and usually end the conversation. The only way to move forward is to either question their response or ask them to justify it. You risk setting up resistance and putting people in a defensive mode.

  • Should you have done that?
  • Are you satisfied?
  • Do you think that was the right decision?

The Touchy Question – Why

As leaders, it is vital to know the ‘why’ of each team member. This is not the same as asking ‘why.’ The ‘why’ question often causes people to justify their answer and be perceived as judgmental. To discover why, ask these questions:

  • What is important to you?
  • How did that happen?
  • Tell me more about that situation.

Go ahead, get curious and ask lots of questions. Pay attention to what you hear in response and note the questions that lead your team members to uncover their challenges and create solutions. These are the tools of a curious leader!

Want to learn more about asking questions?

Being a leader is more than managing sales and recruiting. Being a leader tests your self-concept and relationship skills. The Direct Selling Leaders Network is the Facebook group known as a safe place to share questions and answers about growing your business. Leaders are curious. This is a great group to find out some answers.

The Direct Selling Leaders’ Network is the Facebook group for leaders like you. This social learning community is the premier online community for direct selling leaders, future leaders, and those who want to create their future. Leadership is a way of life, not just a position. Join us as we add new FREE content every week! Recruiting, Getting Your Team to Work, and Tips on Working Smarter, Not Harder. NOT A MEMBER? Please join some of the best leaders in direct sales.