Quick Question: How should we end the year?

This is a great litmus test for how your feelings might unconsciously impact your team.

Try to listen for:

• Distractions -  projects or tasks that won't contribute to your accomplishments for the year

• Recency - it’s easy to only think about things that happened last week or last month rather than reflecting on the whole year

• Anticipation  - the things that pop into your mind as you look forward to the end of this year and the beginning of next year.

This question helps create a sense of accomplishment and sets the scene for an enthusiastic start to the new year.

Quick Question: How should we end the year?

This is a great litmus test for how your feelings might unconsciously impact your team.

Try to listen for:

• Distractions -  projects or tasks that won't contribute to your accomplishments for the year

• Recency - it’s easy to only think about things that happened last week or last month rather than reflecting on the whole year

• Anticipation  - the things that pop into your mind as you look forward to the end of this year and the beginning of next year.

This question helps create a sense of accomplishment and sets the scene for an enthusiastic start to the new year.

Quick Question: How will we know we’ve succeeded?

It’s easy to talk about high-level success indicators - but it’s worth taking the time to listen for measurable outcomes wherever possible.

Quick Question: Who has done this before?

As leaders, we often feel the pressure to have all the answers. Seeking the perspective of experienced others can help reduce this pressure and enable us to focus on the most important questions.

This question helps us remember to leverage our networks and seek thought partnership wherever we can.

Quick Question: What am I missing?

It’s tempting to only hear ‘new things’ when listening to responses. Challenge yourself to listen to how your thoughts are echoed and built upon.

Try to listen for:

• Alternate descriptions - Notice how someone new explains the problem. Let a fresh voice give you a new perspective.

• Certainty - Seek data or opinions that seem stronger and more certain than yours.

• Unexpected emotions - If your curiosity produces an unexpected response, tread gently and offer help and kindness.

This question can help deepen your understanding of both problems and people.

Quick Question: Who should I thank?

This is a question that we often ask ourselves rather than others. When holding up that mirror, the challenge is to make sure we think of all the different angles.

Quick Question: What can we learn from...?

Whether it's the end of a project, the early days of new product design or team planning, integrating past learnings is critical.

Listen for genuine insights, consistent messages and unresolved conversations.