As you move up in an organization, people increasingly look to you for answers. But the best leaders don’t provide all of the solutions — they inspire curiosity, creativity, and deeper thinking in their employees. And that starts with asking the right questions. Encourage your employees to slow down and explain what they’re proposing in more detail by saying something simple and to-the-point, like “Wait, what?” You could also use phrases like “I wonder why…” to encourage curiosity. And then follow up with “I wonder if things could be done differently.” Another question to try: “How can I help?” This question forces your colleague to define the problem, which is the first step toward owning and solving it.
Adapted from "5 Questions Leaders Should Be Asking All the Time," by James E. Ryan
