UXL Blog

It may seem surprising, but asking questions can actually make you a more trustworthy leader. Questions do not diminish your authority or make you appear weak. Rather, by asking the right questions, you can gain valuable insight, open the floor for more meaningful conversations, and demonstrate that you respect your team.

Which questions are the “right questions?” The simple answer is: open-ended questions that stimulate conversation and don’t presuppose an answer. A question such as “Don’t you think Client X would benefit from our new product?” is not open-ended and not productive. It is only searching for agreement, not a true dialogue.

Instead, try asking questions that begin with words like How, What, or Why. These question words typically allow for a wide range of answers, not just a yes or no response.

The other half of asking good questions is practicing active listening. Leaders build trust by seeking their team’s thoughts, opinions, and ideas, and listening closely to the answers they give. This show of respect is integral to building trust

Next time you’re in a meeting (either with your entire team or a single individual) try asking some trust-building questions. Here are 10 to get you started—choose ones that are applicable to your team and situation.

1. What resources do you need to complete your task?
2. What is holding you/us back from success?
3. How can I help?
4. What are some possible solutions you envision?
5. Who/what are we lacking to achieve success?
6. What can I do to help foster more creativity?
7. Why do you think                            is happening?
8. What are your current frustrations?
9. What is our biggest risk in this endeavor? What is the Plan B?
10. Is this assignment a good fit for your talents? (Why or why not?)
11. How does this add value to our mission?
12. What effects will this decision have?
13. How can we improve                     ?
14. What opportunities can bolster our business?
15. What else would you like me to know?

This is just a sampling of the questions you can ask your team. Get curious. Involve them in decision-making. Ask good questions and build trust.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS®DISCOVERY LICENSED PRACTITIONER, FOUNDER OF UXL, AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE TAG TEAM. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE. YOU CAN VISIT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.YOUEXCELNOW.COM

Tags: ask good questions, leadership best practices, leadership skills, leadership tips, margaret smith leadership, Margaret Smith life coach, questions for building trust, trust in leadership