These are my top 3 questions that produce high quality, productive conversations:
For problem solving: What need to be true for X to happen?
Keep the work at the center, and ask yourself or your team What needs to be true for this to happen?
- If an event goes wrong, “What needs to be true for this to go right next time?”
- If a project is not moving in the way you or the team hoped it would, “What needs to be true for us to complete this?”
- If an employee is struggling, or just getting started, “What needs to be true for them to be able to get this work done?”
For mentorship: What's the real challenge here for you?
Your employees are smart. They can be a part of working through challenges. When they come to you with a challenge, or you spot one from a mile away, dig deeper with this one question. It's magical.
For feedback: Why does this bother me?
This is a question to ask yourself.
Offering feedback can feel uncomfortable, and a lot of managers struggle with it. And, when done right, feedback can be one of the most helpful mirrors you can hold up to an employee. But it is tricky.
If you're wondering how to offer feedback or if this feedback is worthwhile - tap the brakes and ask yourself why you are bringing this up. If you can get crystal clear on that, you'll be able to offer more direct and productive feedback.
