What separates successful leaders from average ones?
The overlooked leadership skill that drives results?
Asking the right questions rarely appears on lists of leadership competencies or job descriptions, yet it’s one of a leader's most powerful skills. Research shows that leaders prioritizing inquiry over giving directions build stronger teams and drive more consistent results. Why?
Author, executive coach, and educator Marilee Adams, in her book "Change Your Questions, Change Your Life," shares research that shows how asking questions - especially open-ended ones - leads to "learner thinking" instead of "judger thinking," encouraging space for exploring new ideas, openness, creativity, and solution-focused approaches in teams.
Good questions, allow us to uncover real problems, issues, and insights—the ones beneath the surface.
How can we become better at asking good questions?
Improve your listening
Practice active, curious, and intentional listening. Fully present, no interruption, without judgement and interruption.
Ask open-ended questions
Use questions like "What?", "How?", and "Where?" to reveal deeper insights.
Ask follow-up questions
For example, "That’s interesting—how did you come to that conclusion?"
The longer we stay with questions, without imposing judgment, the more truth we uncover.
The next question, then, is: What do you do with the truth that arises?
The power of positive energy
"Positive energizers," according to a study by Emma Seppälä and Kim Cameron presented in HBR (link), are leaders who uplift the organization through authenticity and values-based leadership. They demonstrate and cultivate virtuous actions such as forgiveness, compassion, humility, kindness, trust, integrity, honesty, generosity, gratitude, and recognition. According to the authors, these leaders are the single most important factor in driving organizational performance.
How do they to this?
Recognize and encourage others regularly.
Approach interactions with an uplifting, energy-boosting attitude.
Focus on helping others grow rather than seeking personal success.
The results: increased productivity by 4x, enhanced well-being among employees. Higher engagement and innovation,
Until next time. In the meantime - stay positive and uplift others.
Connect deeply, evolve authentically, impact profoundly
Live Beyond the Ordinary.
Warm wishes,
P.S. Thank you to everyone who’s reached out and shared your thoughts—I appreciate each message! I’ve heard some can’t access the recording due to firewalls; this will be resolved once my newsletter is live on my website.
In case you missed.
I recently spoke to Mohamed Gamal in his podcast Reach4Growth on subjects of:
- The difference between job, career, and calling
- How resilience and a clear narrative fuel long-term success
- Why self-awareness & values are essential for overcoming burnout.
Click on the image to listen.
I published 2 articles on Linkedin on career transitions. Click on images to read.
Some of you have asked about what I do and how I can support you. Here are some ways I can help, whenever you're ready.
1. 1:1 Executive Coaching
2. Professional speaking engagements
3. Customized leadership workshops/EQ-i/EQ360 assessments