12 Questions Leaders Must Answer
Say what people need to hear before you say what you need to say.
Answer emotion before dealing with issues. You can’t strengthen relationships, for example, while people are red in the face. Don’t expect strong collaboration while people feel threatened.
What are the 12 questions leaders must answer?
12 Questions Leaders Must Answer:
- Who am I?
- Am I safe?
- Am I secure?
- Am I loved?
- Am I wanted?
- Am I successful?
- Am I good enough?
- Do I understand my role?
- Do I have a purpose?
- Do I have control?
- Do I have impact?
- Am I respected?
People flourish when you help them answer their fundamental questions with a yes.
Words That Answer Fundamental Concerns:
Don’t expect people to voice their internal concerns. It’s too personal. They’re afraid to hear “No.” Answer their *primal questions”* before they ask.
- You’re at your best when you are….
- I notice your energy goes up when….
- I’m glad you’re on our team because….
- I want you to know I respect the way you….
- You’re having a positive impact on….
- What will you do next time? (After mistakes.)
- You have positive impact on our customers when you….
- I notice you’re improving your ability to….
- Thanks for making a difference by….
- How would you handle this situation?
- What do you think?
- One way things get better when you show up is….
The 12 questions leaders must answer only have three answers, yes, no, or I’m not sure. Help people answer their pressing questions with a yes.
Project: Go around answering the fundamental questions people don’t ask.
How would you answer the questions leaders must answer?
*(The expression “primal questions” is used by Mike Foster in, “7 Primal Questions.” The first 7 questions on the list come from his book.)
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Such a wonderful advice on how we can impactfully answer the primal questions even before they ask.. Thanks Dan.
Thanks CV. Mike Foster’s book got me thinking about his. Glad you found it useful.
Hi Dan. I’m currently studying leadership, and we’re discussing the shared influence/power between leaders and followers. The 12 questions for leaders strike me as powerful questions to ask followers (or followers should ask themselves), too. Thoughts?
Thanks Erin. The idea that we should ask and answer these questions ourselves is essential. Frankly, no one can answer them for us. Others can interact in ways that make it likely to answer YES. But the feeling of safety, in the end, in an individual matter that we must answer ourselves.
Thanks for bringing this up. Best wishes in your studies.
I think the one question that leaders need to ask (and answer) on a regular basis is–Am I adding value?