Category: Asking Questions

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Asking Questions Communication Conversations Leadership Team effectiveness

Consider these unorthodox tips for better meetings

Abstract Image of Business People's Silhouettes in a Meeting

It’s been a few weeks since I read “More Time to Think.”

More Time to Think is the sequel to Time to Think. The first book addresses the theory behind creating a thinking environment culture. The second book is more of a practical how-to guide.

Both books are created on a scientifically justified premise that when companies can create a culture where each individual feels safe and encouraged to access, use and share their thinking, all performance indicators point in the right direction.… Read the rest

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Asking Questions Curiosity Learning Qualities Self awareness

Curiosity is a superpower. 18 qualities of curious leaders.

It's good to be curious.

Should I ask this as a question or make a statement out of it?

That’s the question I’m asking myself, pondering the title for this insight. 

If I’m true to my point about curiosity, I should write it as a question. 

Why is curiosity a superpower?

But today, I prefer a statement.… Read the rest

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Asking Questions Mindset Presence Purpose Reflection

Smelling the roses

Smelling the roses

I went out of my car to smell the roses.

The sight of those roses and the smell I know I would experience soon were just too tempting to pass by.

I don’t remember the exact date and time, but I do remember I was in a hurry going somewhere when I got struck by this beautiful sight and decided to stop.… Read the rest

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Asking Questions Authenticity Diversity of Thought Self awareness

“You can’t handle the truth.”

Is there a universal truth?

Remember this legendary line from the movie a Few Good Men?

Jack Nicholson’s character is questioned by a young and inexperienced lawyer (Tom Cruise) trying to uncover unethical practices within the US Marine Corps.

The truth is that besides the regular code of conduct, an alternative set of rules exists to facilitate hierarchy to execute ‘what’s needed to protect the country.’… Read the rest

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Asking Questions Communication Conversations Culture Leadership

The Heart of your Business

We succeed or fail one conversation at a time

Last week I conducted my training called “Growing Leaders and Culture.”

Its principles are based on effective dialogue.

Why?

Because dialogue is what makes people grow and deliver on their dreams.

You’ve done half the work if you understand that running a successful business is an accumulation of constructive, forward-looking, and growth-focused dialogues.… Read the rest

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Asking Questions Growth Leadership Purpose Self awareness

Three surprising questions to figure out what you want

Life is too short to waste it

What pisses you off?

I’ll make sure to clarify first at the start of this insight. I’m just asking this question about the work you do.

I’m not asking you about things in your personal life that piss you off. So if your spouse never cleans out the dishwasher, sorry for you, but that’s not the stuff I’m interested in.… Read the rest

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Asking Questions Conversations Feedback Productivity Team effectiveness

Seven do-or-die questions to run a great meeting

Curiosity is key!

I thought I would never write this insight.

Frankly, I still can’t believe that I do. 

If there’s one thing I would expect that any team leader knows how to do well, it’s to run a meeting.

But unfortunately, running an effective meeting is in the top two underdeveloped skills for leaders.
… Read the rest
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Asking Questions Change Coaching Dialogue Learning

Change starts with a conversation

Photo by Drew Coffman on Unsplash

I’m a certified facilitator in Fierce Conversations.

That’s not a joke.

If you thought it was, you’re probably wondering why something like training in conversations exists in the first place.

Well …

Because many of us do not know how to have a skillful conversation.

We don’t listen well.

We don’t articulate well.… Read the rest

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Asking Questions Conversations Feedback Growth Self awareness

If someone took control of your life tomorrow, what’s the first thing they would change?

Which button to switch first?
What a brilliant question.

And what a hard question to answer without showing a certain degree of vulnerability (read also my story “Vulnerability is a Differentiator”).

How honest are you going to be when answering this question?

Or perhaps, how self-aware are you to be able to answer the question properly?… Read the rest

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Asking Questions Self awareness

How BIG is your Ego?

Learn, study and inspect ego

This morning my meditation insight spoke about ego.

Whenever there’s thinking happening, ego is at play. So, therefore, by definition, every human being on this planet has ego.

Having ego and having AN ego are often confused.

We all have egos, but some of us are happy to demonstrate their ego a bit more than others.… Read the rest

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Asking Questions Books Productivity Reflection

What’s the best book you (did not) read this year?

There’s still one month to go in 2020, and I’m already in book review mode.

Perhaps a bit early and out of the ordinary, but let’s face it. Things are off this year anyway, so why not talk about book reviews in November?

Who saw this coming?

If you predicted one year ago what 2020 would look like and you expected this mess, you should put some money on the stock exchange immediately.… Read the rest

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Asking Questions Dialogue Leading Self

The next time you’re about to interrupt…

… Pause.

And ask a question instead. Here’s why.

The book I’m reading this week, “Socrates on sneakers”, discusses the art of asking good questions.

I received the book from a good friend of mine who knows I’m passionate about the power of asking great questions.

Great questions differentiate great leaders from good managers

We, human beings, don’t like asking questions.… Read the rest