A Simple Formula for Success: ?=+

One of the most powerful formulas for leadership success is simple:   ?=+

Questions equal connections.

Leaders are often proficient at giving directives, announcing strategies and making statements.   There's nothing wrong with any of this - but it often does not maximize the power of the workforce because often the statements fail to engage.

Asking questions creates a stronger relationship and engages the workforce.

I'm not talking about the tactical or snarky,  "Will you finish that report before global warming brings the water level to the second floor?"  Instead, these should be questions of honest interest because the answers can help you build both a better workforce and a stronger business.

• "Can you think of a better way of doing this?"
• "What are ways that we can edit our work so that what we do is more meaningful (and streamlined)?"
• "Can you give me another perspective on this project?"
• "If you were responsible for the final result - what would you do differently?"
• "What are your ideas on how we can make this work?"

What I believe many managers find fearsome in the idea of asking for input is that they perceive it obligates them to do exactly what the responder said.  That's not the deal.   The manager should accept the responses as honest options as to how to do the work better - in some cases, they may do exactly what the team member suggested;  in others, they may implement other solutions.   The successful workplace understands that healthy input does not obligate either party; but instead, increases the options and paths to success.

Here's a case history.     Managers of a business decide to do a major remodel - don't ask for input from any of the staff.   Staff is disenfranchised from the many changes going on around them;   some of the changes make their work with clients more challenging.    Clients are disoriented and look to staff for re-assurance;   because staff has not been involved, staff cannot clearly communicate what is good about all of the changes.  In short, what was an expensive remodel that should have been a boon for business was not fully optimized because the staff was not engaged from the get-go.

They weren't asked . . .they weren't involved.

Asking questions makes connections. . .and those connections not only build the relationship with your team, but build your business as well.

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Brent Frerichs is the author of "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders"  available for e-readers, IPads, PCs and tablets from Amazon Kindle.