A highly valuable question a leader can ask when facing a difficult situation is: "What's needed here?" Without the insights gained by asking this deceptively simple question, it’s all too easy to get mired in blame, why’s, and the how-did-this-happens of the unchangeable past. While this is human nature, it does little more than short-circuit creative problem-solving. When something flares up, rather than reacting along with everyone else, take a breath ... and pause. Then ask "what's needed here" to shift the focus forward, toward creative solutions your team and organization require.
Self-coaching Questions:
- What situation, project, or issue within my leadership most needs addressing?
- Who should be involved in a focused discussion of what’s needed to resolve it?
- What’s needed here?
David Peck
Executive Coach and President
Leadership Unleashed
Note: Over 100 of these tips appear in my book: Beyond Effective: Practices in Self-aware Leadership. Click
on the image of the book for more information.
__________
Monday LeaderTips are posted here and emailed every Sunday evening to leaders and professionals worldwide. For a free anonymous subscription, send a blank email here. LeaderTips are also carried, from time to time, on Business Week Online.
