The Role of Questions in the Life of a Leader

Humans have an innate desire for adventure. Deep down, something in us craves a quest — a commitment to a journey that challenges, transforms, and takes us to places we’ve never been before. Whether we recognize it or not, each of us is on a quest for something greater. Our culture is rich with metaphors of these grand quests. Joseph Campbell captured this universal theme in his seminal work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, highlighting the hero’s journey found in stories and myths across time. From Dorothy’s search for home in The Wizard of Oz to Frodo’s perilous quest to destroy the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings, quests are woven into the very fabric of human storytelling.

But quests aren’t just for the pages of books and the reels of films — they are central to the life of every leader. And at the heart of every quest is one powerful, transformative tool: the question.

Questions: The Leader’s Tool

Questions are more than mere inquiries. They are catalysts for change, invitations to explore, and sparks that ignite our search for truth and understanding. They take us beyond the surface, pushing us to dig deeper, learn more, and transform ourselves and our organizations. The root word of “question” is “quest” — and every great question invites a journey of discovery.

But not all questions are created equal. Despite the well-meaning mantra that “there is no such thing as a bad question,” I disagree. After over 25 years of teaching and leading, I’ve seen firsthand that there are bad questions — or, at least, ineffective ones. Let me explain.

What Makes a Question “Bad”?

A bad question is one that doesn’t lead anywhere. It’s a question that expects an easy or immediate answer, one that doesn’t demand any effort, exploration, or growth. These questions don’t challenge us; they don’t spark a quest. They merely seek to confirm what we already know or want to hear. Asking such questions is like standing at the edge of a great journey but refusing to take the first step.

But let’s be clear — a bad question doesn’t mean the asker is inexperienced or confused. Often, it’s a sign of complacency or fear of stepping into the unknown. To grow as leaders, we must learn to ask better questions — questions that take us on transformative journeys, challenge our assumptions, and push us to evolve.

The Power of a Great Question

Great questions are the heart and soul of effective leadership, especially in our volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. In a rapidly changing landscape, leaders can no longer rely solely on being problem solvers; they must be question askers — the type who inspire and challenge their teams to explore new possibilities, reimagine the future, and confront the unknown.

Here’s what makes a great question:

1. It Challenges Assumptions Great questions disrupt our thinking. They make us pause and reconsider what we believe to be true. “Why do we do it this way?” “What if we tried something different?” “Who benefits from the status quo?” These are the questions that break the mold and open doors to innovation.
2. It Demands a Journey Great questions don’t have immediate answers. They require time, effort, and exploration. They push you out of your comfort zone and onto a path of discovery. If your question doesn’t take you somewhere new, it may be time to ask a better one.
3. It Invites Collaboration Great questions bring people together. They invite input, dialogue, and diverse perspectives. By asking open-ended questions like, “How can we solve this together?” or “What does success look like for all of us?” leaders foster collaboration and inspire collective problem-solving.
4. It Embraces Uncertainty In a VUCA world, certainty is a myth. Great questions acknowledge this reality and embrace ambiguity. They ask, “What don’t we know?” “What risks might we be missing?” and “How can we prepare for the unexpected?”

Learning to Ask Better Questions

If you want to be the leader you were meant to be — the leader you envision yourself becoming — you must cultivate the art of asking better questions. Here are some practical ways to get started:

1. Be Curious, Not Complacent. Approach every situation with a sense of curiosity. Resist the urge to settle for easy answers or to assume you know everything. Curiosity fuels better questions.
2. Challenge Your Own Beliefs. Ask yourself, “What am I missing?” “What assumptions am I making?” “How might I be wrong?” The willingness to challenge your own thinking is a mark of true leadership.
3. Seek Out Diverse Perspectives. Engage with people who think differently from you. Ask them, “What do you see that I don’t?” “How would you approach this challenge?” Great questions often emerge from conversations with those who offer fresh viewpoints.
4. Be Comfortable with Silence. Asking a powerful question can lead to silence. Don’t rush to fill it. Give people time to reflect, think, and respond. Silence often precedes deep insight.
5. Make Question-Asking a Habit. Integrate questions into your daily leadership practice. Start meetings with a provocative question. End conversations with a reflective one. Encourage your team to ask questions of you and each other.

Leading Through Questions

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about having the courage to ask the right questions. In a world that demands constant adaptation, innovation, and resilience, leaders must become master question-askers. They must guide their teams on great quests, inspire exploration, and push themselves and those around them to grow.

So, what questions are you asking yourself? Are they taking you on a quest, or are they keeping you in place? The role of questions in the life of a leader cannot be overstated. If you want to lead better, start by asking better. If you want to inspire change, start with curiosity. And if you want to make a lasting impact, embark on the great quest of asking questions that matter.

Are you ready to step into the unknown, challenge your assumptions, and lead with courage? Let’s ask the right questions together. I’m here to guide, inspire, and help you become the leader you were meant to be — one great question at a time.

MAtthew Kutz, Ph.D. — www.matthewkutz.com