Clarke-Epstein C. - 78 Important Questions Every Leader Should Ask and Answer (2002)(en)

DELIVERIN G TOUG H ANSWERS 201

3. How would you deal with communicating those answers?

4.What is the one thing you want to remember most from this chapter?

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OTHER NOTES

conclusion

some final questions

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its reason for existence.”

—Albert Einstein, American scientist

“We can only learn and grow if we are willing to ask a lot of good questions.”

—Dr. Alan Gregerman, American business consultant

“How can we improve this?”

—Walt Disney, American entrepreneur

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Here we are at the end. So:

What will you take away from this journey we’ve made together? Have

you started your own list of questions?

I hope so. Go back and look at the worksheets. Maybe you’ll find inspiration in the Appendix. Start a list on your handheld organizer or buy a new notebook. Good questions show up at the most unusual times.

Do you find yourself with a broader view of leadership?

This question demands a short stop. At the beginning of this book I said that I believed that you’d rather be a good leader than a poor one and that being a great leader would be even better. Having a bigger view of what leadership is and can be is worth the investment you put into reading this book.

Are you one who takes big steps or baby steps?

Try some baby steps first. Pick your favorite question and work with it for a while. Gauge people’s reactions and monitor your comfort, as you become a leader who asks questions.

Have you given yourself goals and a deadline?

Oh, for heaven’s sake. You’ve been around too long not to know why this is important.

Do you need to ponder more?

Important. Give yourself time to think things through

SOM E FINA L QUESTIONS 205

and get comfortable with new actions. Just don’t use pondering as an excuse for not starting.

Are you feeling confident or anxious?

Either is okay. Both at the same time are understandable.

What support system can you count on?

Who can you enlist to support your personal change effort?

Is leadership worth being passionate about?

Yes. One might even say that a leader without passion is no leader at all.

Do these questions never end?

The questions never end, or you should hope they never end because questions are linked with learning, and learning is linked with growth, and the only alternative to growth is death. Not a good choice.

Are we done now?

I am. You’re just starting.

Little children ask questions all the time because they’re curious.

Adults are often afraid to ask questions because they are afraid of

appearing stupid, ignorant, or uninformed.

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I admire leaders who ask questions like children. I know they’re brave.

What would I do if I knew I could not fail?

If I believed would the wind always fill up my sail?

How far would I go, what could I achieve

Trusting the hero in me?

What would I do today if I were brave?

From If I Were Brave

Words and music by

Jana Stanfield and Jimmy Scott

appendix

Good Questions from Other Leaders

As a part of the research for this book, I conducted an e-mail survey asking leaders around the world to share their favorite questions. Their response was overwhelming. People took time out of their busy days to think and write about their experiences with questions. The following list is a representative sample of their responses for your review. I’ve included them so you could find and use some of them for yourself and to inspire you to start your own list.

My thanks to all who participated and my heartfelt gratitude for a community of leaders who are as passionate as I am about the importance of questions for a leader.

208 A P P E N D I X

What’s the risk of doing nothing?

—Jeff Blackman, CSP consultant and speaker

Does what you are doing make you and the organization grow? —David C. Palmer, U.S. Army

What ideas do you have?

—Phyllis McConnell, Dell Computer Corporation

What if none of this works? What next?

—Shirley Garrett, professional speaker and author

How do we WOW this customer?

—Ivy Mathieu, Cox Communications

What difference will you make for the organization today? —Vivian Londos, The Human Resource Store

How do you face disappointment with grace? —Nora Butcher, speaker and author

How will we know when it is enough?

—Claudia Brogan, University of North Carolina

How can you ensure that this plan will be effective? —Ann Hutchinson, Bureau of Land Management

How can we make a change for the better of the business? —Jerry Dowen, Oshkosh Truck Corporation

If you owned the company, would you do it the way you are proposing?

—Joe Tripalin, CUNA Mutual Group

A P P E N D I X 209

What do you think?

—Judy VonTress-Pretto, Hernando and Valencia

Properties, Inc.

Do you honestly have the time to put this new task on your calendar?

—Steve Sorenson, CUNA Mutual Group

What should I do to make sure you’ve got no worries on this project?

—Marc Vermeulen, Eurosem

What support do you need from me to make that happen? —Lynette Dornink, Lands’ End, Inc.

Do you think the culture of an organization can be changed by one individual? Why or why not?

—Linea M. Cicinelli, WCI Communications

How are you doing today?

—Dennis C. Dakin, Potts Welding and Boiler Repair

What is it that we want to accomplish in the long run? —Shirley Garrett, professional speaker and author

I know it can be done…but should it be done? —Rose Kilsdonk, Shaker Advertising Agency

What’s the new learning here?

—Else Tamayo, University of San Francisco

Suppose you owned the situation, what steps would you take? —Kathy Trammell, Harborstone Credit Union

210 A P P E N D I X

How did you get into this profession?

—Dave Jennings, CAE, SPHR, American Society for Training and Development

Why have we always done it this way?

—Marcia Britton, Pechiney Plastic Packaging

How can I be part of the solution, not part of the problem? —Diane Marema, Museum of Science and Industry

What can I do to make myself more valuable to the company? —Carol Rouzpay, The Regence Group

Can you give me specific feedback on how I can be a better leader for our organization?

—Susan C. Stevens, Alliance Data Systems

If you could make one decision that would put this organization on a more positive course, what would it be?

—Lyn Huntley, IRS

What is your true passion?

—Suzy Rettig, Countrywide Home Loans

What are the greatest needs and challenges facing your customers?

—Pam Gartmann, Delta Dental Plan of Wisconsin

What are you taking time to do these days? —Paula Briki, IBM

Is there a better way to do this?

—Lillian Roberts, Pitt County Memorial Hospital