Quick Question: What would it look like if it was fun?

Sometimes it’s a little too easy to talk ourselves into how difficult or boring something might be. 

Try to listen for:

• The Fun Police -  the voice that tells us everything we won't like about it.

• Connection to Passion and Purpose - ways to encourage the team to link the dreaded project with the impact they want to have on customers or the community

• A Hint of Possibility - a sense that new ideas and connections could create something special and unexpected

This question helps reframe our thinking and inject new enthusiasm into our work.

Quick Question: Who needs my support?

As leaders, one of our greatest responsibilities is ensuring our team (and our colleagues) feel supported.

Try to listen for:

• Silence - Sometimes we ask a question that is just too hard for the listener to answer. That’s a good sign they might need a little extra help.

• Confusion  - If you’re receiving vague, unclear or incomplete responses, it may be a sign that they are feeling overwhelmed.

• Fast-talking—When the pace of language is unusually fast, a few well-placed questions could help slow them down and refocus their attention.

This question helps identify pivotal moments that direct our attention (and our team’s) to the things that matter most.

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.

Quick Question: What would you like to be acknowledged for?

This question is a great opportunity to reinforce the role you want recognition to play in your team culture.

When responding to this question, team members will likely tell you more than they realise - by what they say and what they leave out.

Quick Question: What am I responsible for?

This question is a great opportunity to step back and ensure that you’ve designed your own performance standards.

It will help you focus your leadership on actions, outcomes and people - creating your desired culture.

Quick Question: What is holding us back?

As a leader, it’s easy to default to defensive mode when asking about what is stopping progress. But that isn’t helpful. Try not to take the answers personally. Focus on the role you can play in removing the blockages and enabling your team to move forward and deliver outcomes.

Quick Question: What would have to be true...?

This question is, in essence, a test of believability. It can be divided into two parts: what I would have to believe and how likely I am to believe it. 

It is helpful for leaders developing strategy, hiring new team members and challenging decision making.

Quick Question: How might we...?

Creating a sense of possibility within your team can be difficult with the pressure to deliver quickly. Resistance may show up in several different ways.

Asking 'how might we...?' can unlock a new sense of possibility.

Quick Question: How will we make this decision?

We often jump into decision-making mode without stopping to consider whether we’re all planning to make the decision in the same way. Are we aiming for consensus? Is this a captain’s call? Or will the majority rule?

Quick Question: How can I help?

When offering help, we often have a preconceived notion of the response we'll receive. Or even the response we want. The trick is to set that aside and listen. Asking the question 'How can I help?' creates safety to have an open conversation about what is needed.

Quick Question: Why are we doing this?

As leaders, one of our most important jobs is setting the context for our people. It’s easy to assume, ‘I’ve told them why. They get it. I need to move on to the next thing.’

The trouble is, once your team is deep into complex, fast work, they easily lose sight of why they are doing it. The risk of losing sight is wasted time and money spent delivering the wrong thing.

Here are some ways you can avoid these pitfalls.