Americas Vice Chair of Talent, EY. Leading with intention, integrity and care so our people can make maximum impact in the working world.
Disruption, complexity and ambiguity are the new normal in today’s working world. As a result, many leaders are finding they can no longer rely solely on their past experiences. To lead well in the future, leaders need to ask questions that unlock better answers and better solutions.
At my firm, we’re taking a new approach to leadership and building leaders who are purpose-driven and agile. Most importantly, we’re building leaders who are curious. Using a practice we call “Leading with Questions,” our goal is to rally a team around constructive conversation. In short, leading with questions invites deep dialogue that translates into engaged, innovative and inclusive teams.
Working with thousands of leaders has revealed that having a better conversation that fosters connection and innovation is a critical skill for digital-era leadership. The successful leaders of today don’t just talk about innovation and technology; they embody a new mindset of creativity and change that allows them to be fully present in a conversation and demonstrate empathy and intellectual curiosity.
Leading with questions works because really good questions have a direct impact on the brain. When we are challenged by a question that triggers an insight, neurons connect in new ways. This releases neurotransmitters that create the motivation to act. The net result is that the other person not only likes the idea, they want to do something with it.
Leading with questions has three core principles that comprise curious leadership:
1. Pause before you tell reminds leaders to create a conversational turning point so they can listen and learn from their teams.
2. Ask better questions suggests that leaders get curious about what’s possible and engage their teams in finding a solution that’s both innovative and inclusive.
3. Listen with impact means paying close attention to diverse points of view — and the ideas and emotions behind them — regardless of whether they agree with what’s being said. On a very practical level, leading with questions works because it generates a conversation where multiple voices are heard and diverse perspectives are represented in the final outcome. A curious leader builds trust, inspires connection and develops deep engagement with their teams.
Leading with questions is the regular practice of pausing, asking and listening. You can let your team know how much they’re valued by asking them questions and listening well. As our leaders practice curious leadership, we’re finding greatness emerge in the form of more creative, innovative and inclusive thinking. This is translating into better solutions for our clients and measurable results in talent development, teamwork and inclusiveness.
When you lead with questions, you’ll see an immediate change in the faces of the people you are in conversations with. Often, they’ll look up and away while reflecting on questions. They may pause and go quiet while they process and “go deep” into their memory banks. There may be more insights during the next day or week as your questions reverberate. Over time, people begin to come into team and individual conversations with their leaders because they’re ready to think deeply. This improves engagement and accountability.
Most importantly to me, whenever people ask what our purpose means, I point to our leaders. They’re purpose-driven, agile and inclusive — and they’re curious. They’re asking better questions, unearthing better answers and building a better working world.
Leading with questions is simple, but not easy. It’s a habit that a leader commits to build over time. Here are some everyday ways to lead with questions:
• When someone tells you about a problem they’re facing, ask, “How can I be most helpful to you?” before offering a solution. This helps you understand their intent and ensures you address the right challenge.
• When planning a meeting, write each agenda item as an open-ended question.
• The next time you’re asked to make a formal presentation, make your opening slide a question that the presentation is intended to answer.
• Ask a question to help a meeting get back on track. For example, “What question are we trying to answer here?” will often help clarify a meeting objective.
• Conduct a “question brainstorm,” creating as many questions as possible about a challenge your team is facing. At the end of the allotted time, pick the one or two questions you find most thought-provoking, and get busy answering them.
What might leading with questions unleash in your relationships, your team and your organization?