Categories
Asking Questions Authenticity Diversity of Thought Self awareness

“You can’t handle the 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

Categories
Asking Questions Growth Leadership Purpose Self awareness

Three surprising questions to figure out what you want

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

Categories
Asking Questions Conversations Feedback Productivity Team effectiveness

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

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
Categories
Asking Questions Change Coaching Dialogue Learning

Change starts with a conversation

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

Categories
Asking Questions Conversations Feedback Growth Self awareness

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

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

Categories
Asking Questions Self awareness

How BIG is your 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

Categories
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