Embracing the art of asking smarter questions enables leaders to navigate complex challenges and drive organizational success.
Leaders should employ strategic questioning to enhance decision-making and foster a culture of continuous learning. By asking open-ended, neutral, and thoughtfully timed questions, leaders can encourage honest dialogue, uncover valuable insights, and challenge existing assumptions. This approach not only promotes deeper understanding but also empowers teams to engage critically with issues, leading to more innovative and effective solutions.
But what kinds of questions should leaders be asking?
First, leaders should understand the types of questions they should be asking. A framework developed by researchers at IMD Business School breaks down strategic questions into five domains: investigative, speculative, productive, interpretive, and subjective. Each one supports a different part of the decision-making process. Together, they help nonprofit leaders address critical issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The chart below suggests starter questions for each domain.
