31 Critical Questions Servant Leaders Ask
Leadership is an action, not a position. If we really want to be a positive difference maker, we have to consistently seek out opportunities to serve others. Servant leaders create a culture of excellence and provide value to as many people as they can. They strive to grow and inspire their team every day while making other’s feel appreciated and valued. At the end of the day, servant leaders make those who are following them feel proud of the work they are doing and the time they are investing.
A servant leader is presented each day with a unique platform to earn their team’s trust, empower hearts and minds, and vividly understand their expectations, hopes, and fears. One of the best ways to influence others is to create lines of open and transparent communication while truly listening to their needs.
Servant leaders understand life is not separated into winners and losers. It is separated into learners and non-learners. Servant leaders are life learners. They are “learn it all” individuals, not “know it all” people. Servant leaders allow their genuine curiosity to uncover new ways to creatively lead and focus on not being the smartest person in the room, but the best listener. Every question does not always have an answer. But servant leaders ask what others are afraid to ask in order to see what others do not see.
May the following thirty-one critical questions facilitate in you uncovering the outer depths of who you are as a leader and support the growth and discovery of those you courageously lead.
- What do you need?
- How can I help?
- What is next?
- What do you think?
- Why not?
- What is most important?
- What is it you do not understand?
- How are you doing?
- Did you learn anything new today?
- May I offer an opinion?
- Is there a better way?
- How did you learn that?
- Do you believe it is true?
- Did we forget anything?
- How would you answer that?
- Where did you get this information?
- What is the real problem?
- How serious is this issue?
- Who do we need to speak to?
- Do I have your permission?
- What are your recommendations?
- How you considered the risk involved?
- If you were me what would you do?
- What would you do differently?
- Did I answer your questions?
- What is your biggest concern?
- What did you learn from this experience?
- Can you help me understand?
- How can I do a better job?
- What does success look like to you?
- What is most important to you?
Originally published at coachgeorgeraveling.com on January 26, 2018.
