Leader
As a leader in a company, one of the most important skills you can develop is the art of asking questions. Effective questioning helps foster good team relationships, encourages collaboration and can lead to more creative solutions. However, not all questions are created equal, and the way you ask them can have a significant impact on the response you receive.
Asking questions
One of the most common mistakes that leaders make is asking “why” questions. While “why” questions can be useful in some situations, they can also come across as confrontational and judgmental. For example, asking “why can’t we launch this project next week?” might be seen as an attack on the team’s capabilities or work ethic. This can lead to a defensive response, rather than an open and honest conversation.
Ask more “how” questions than “why” questions.
Instead of using “why” questions, try using “how” questions. “How” questions are more neutral and encourage collaboration. For example, “how can we launch this project next week?” invites team members to think about solutions and share their ideas. This approach creates a positive and productive atmosphere, and demonstrates that you value the input and ideas of your team members.
It’s also important to ask open-ended questions that encourage discussion and multiple perspectives. Avoid closed-ended questions that only require a yes or no answer. Open-ended questions are an effective way to encourage your team to share their thoughts and ideas. For example, “what do you think are the biggest challenges we face with this project?” allows team members to share their thoughts and experiences, leading to a more collaborative and creative problem-solving process.
Managers play a crucial role in the success of team projects at tech companies. The way managers ask questions and listen to their employees can make or break a project. If managers ask the right questions and actively listen to the intent of their employees, it can lead to better collaboration and problem-solving. On the other hand, if managers ask the wrong questions or don’t listen to their employees, it can lead to misunderstandings, mistrust, and ultimately project failure. Effective communication is key, and managers who take the time to understand their team members’ perspectives and concerns can create a positive and productive work environment that leads to successful project outcomes.
In addition, it’s not just managers who have an impact on team dynamics. Senior engineers and other team members who ask confrontational questions during meetings can also disrupt the collaborative process. Rather than asking “how” questions that encourage open discussion and problem-solving, they may ask random or confrontational questions that put others on the defensive. This can stifle creativity and hinder progress. It’s important for all team members to be mindful of their communication style and strive to ask questions that encourage constructive dialogue and support a positive team dynamic.
Listen
One of the most important aspects of effective questioning as a leader is to listen actively to the responses. Pay attention to what your team members are saying, and take the time to understand their perspectives. By actively listening, you demonstrate that you value their input and ideas, and you encourage further collaboration.
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
In his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” Stephen Covey emphasizes the importance of asking questions and listening actively. He writes, “most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” Covey stresses the importance of asking questions that seek to understand, and actively listening to the responses. This creates an atmosphere of trust and collaboration, and helps to build strong team relationships.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as a leader in a company, the way you ask questions can have a significant impact on the responses you receive, and on the relationships you build with your team. Asking open-ended “how” questions, actively listening to responses, and avoiding confrontational “why” questions are all effective strategies for fostering a positive and collaborative team environment.
