The Power of the Right Questions

By Gary P. Cohen

Voltaire wrote, "Judge others by their questions rather than by their answers." If you want to be judged well, ask the right questions. Most leaders ask questions with the hopes of generating thought, focus, and action from the listener, but too often their questions are designed to do little more than show off their own knowledge, not solicit meaningful answers. If leaders gave more attention to their questions, they would get not only better results but also a team of fully engaged co-workers. Here are 20 questions to get you started.