This is one of my favorite topics of all time, together with cross cultural management and emotional intelligence. This one is base don the third article I ever published on LinkedIn back in March 2025. In my previous article I mentioned we talk about “Why do we stop asking questions as we get older?” This article is that follow-up.
The Importance of Asking Questions
As children, our natural curiosity leads us to ask countless questions. “Why is the sky blue?” “How do birds fly?” We are driven by an innate desire to understand the world around us. We ask “why, why, why” about everything, seeking to satisfy our thirst for knowledge. However, as we grow older, the frequency of our inquiries reduce and we turn more into providing answers. This is influenced by multiple factors, yet one of the things that stands out is that throughout our lives we are rewarded and evaluated based on how well we provide answers, how correct, elaborate or tailored to the audience they are. Our education system and societal norms focus on testing our knowledge.
This continues into adulthood, where job interviews and professional evaluations emphasize the answers we provide. Many of us hesitate to raise our hands during meetings or classes, fearing that our questions might be seen as annoying or disruptive, or something not welcomed. As we grow in our careers, many perceive asking questions as a sign of weakness, similar to asking for help, an implicit assumption that we should already know, or at least we think to ourselves why should I ask, if I am here I should know. This becomes even stronger in tough times or when introducing changes and new processes, when in reality more questions should be welcomed. This focus on giving answers instead of asking questions can hold back our curiosity and stop us from coming up with new ideas.
Another point for reflection is how we grow in our careers. Many get promoted based on the number of right answers they give, the amount of opinions they share or simply not being shy to speak up in different settings. Then, when it’s their time to lead teams or take ownership to lead and find innovative solutions, there could be a struggle to find a way forward, at least at the beginning. This could be in part because their lifetime focus on providing the right answers not so much on asking the right questions.
When it comes to leadership and activating our curiosity a great quote becomes relevant:
“Good leaders ask great questions that inspire others to dream more, think more, learn more, do more, and become more.” - John Maxwell
Insights from Hal Gregersen
Hal Gregersen in his book “Questions Are the Answer,” and his exceptional program at MIT Inquiry Driven Leadership, explains that asking questions, which is our active expression of curiosity, is crucial for innovation. Through extensive research with CEOs and leaders of global corporations in different industries, he identified three key situations that trigger our brains to generate questions, that we should make a practice to embrace: when we are uncomfortable, when we are wrong, and when we are silent. To foster a culture of curiosity, we must put ourselves in these situations more often, and intentionally listen to the questions that come to us as a result.
Additionally, it’s very important to ask the right questions. There is much to digest on this topic, yet we can start by noticing the types of questions we are using. In urgent situations, closed questions (usually with limited options, or yes or no answers) might be appropriate: Is this the right address? Do we have our passports with us? Can we take the bus or is it better to drive? However, when trying to understand perspectives, find solutions, or explore new ways of doing things, open questions (those starting with what, why, how) are more effective: What can we do differently? How do we incorporate new ideas?
Curiosity: A Cornerstone of Leadership Development
Curiosity is not just a trait but a fundamental aspect of leadership development.
Leaders who cultivate curiosity are better equipped to navigate complexities, drive innovation, and inspire their teams. Asking questions is essential for several reasons:
1. Fostering a Growth Mindset: Curiosity encourages a growth mindset, where leaders continuously seek to learn and improve. This mindset is crucial for adapting to changing environments and overcoming obstacles.
2. Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills: Leaders who ask questions are more likely to explore multiple solutions and perspectives, leading to more effective problem-solving.
3. Building Stronger Relationships: Asking questions shows genuine interest in others’ opinions and ideas, fostering trust and collaboration within teams, getting to know them their skills, their interests, reduce the influence of our assumptions from our past experiences.
4. Driving Innovation: Innovative ideas often stem from questioning the status quo. Leaders who encourage curiosity create a culture where creativity and innovation thrive.
Take Action
Inspired by Hal Gregersen’s insights, here are four actionable steps for leaders:
1. Check Your Questioning Frequency: Reflect on how often you ask questions in a week. Are you asking enough questions to stimulate curiosity and innovation?
2. Diversify Your Audience: Consider who you are asking these questions. Are you seeking different perspectives, or are you always asking the same people? Engaging with a diverse group can lead to richer insights.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice: Make a conscious effort to ask more questions in different settings and with different people. Embrace discomfort, find moments of silence to give others space to ask, and when you seem to be wrong, ask questions that will clarify and deepen your understanding.
4. Encourage Your Children: If you are a parent, encourage your children to ask questions at school and at home. Fostering their natural curiosity will help them develop critical thinking skills and a lifelong love of learning.
Moving Forward Together
As we continue this journey of leadership development, remember that true leadership is not defined by hierarchy or titles. It’s about delivering results, engaging our teams, and communicating effectively. By focusing on these principles and embracing the power of questions, we can create a positive and impactful leadership experience.
Let’s move forward together, cultivating trust and curiosity in our daily interactions. Your commitment to personal growth not only transforms you but also creates a ripple effect, inspiring those around you.
A quick note: this is the second piece going up as I bring the Leading Forward archive over from LinkedIn. More editions are coming over the next couple of weeks, each with its own companion resource for paid subscribers. Subscribing is the easiest way to catch each one as it lands.
Thank you for being part of Leading Forward.
Sonia - Author & Founder, Leading Forward.
