One of the most effective lessons I have learned in my 30+ years as CEO of SACS Consulting is the importance of asking pertinent and well thought out questions.

Not only have I received practical answers, but by asking the right questions, I have found ways to grow my business, define my company’s goals and objectives and build trust and strong morale in my organization. Asking the right questions has helped me to foster meaningful discussions and build positive teams.

It is important when using questions as a leadership tool, that you learn to ask the right questions. The questions must be authentic and stated in a way that inspires growth and trust. When asked properly, the questions can help to develop empathy and send the message that you care about and trust your employees. Everyone wants to be heard, so asking the right questions shows your employees that you are an advocate and that you care about their opinions and ideas. It also helps to provide you with information and discovery about problems, issues, etc.

When asking these types of questions, it is important to frame your questions carefully. You never want to come across as interrogative or combative. The idea is to make them comfortable and to develop a conversation. Have a nice friendly tone and show them that you are genuinely interested in their responses. Don’t argue or put up barriers that might make them feel uncomfortable, weak, or that they are being attacked.

When asked properly, questions can build trust and help relationships, company culture and growth. The questions should be worded in such a way that your employees feel like you are helping them. The feedback you will receive can be very valuable to you and your business as it will help you to learn about your employees and what new challenges you can provide for their growth. Here are some thoughts that have worked well for me when forming questions:

1. Does the question challenge them?
2. Do your questions leave an opening for other angles that may be considered?
3. Is there an opportunity to clarify if you are all in agreement on the topic, solution, issue etc.
4. Do the questions allow for moving forward?
5. Is there a way to think or approach the topic, issue etc. in a different way? Perhaps by more empathy or utilizing past experiences.
6. Do your questions show support and genuine interest in a way that allows them to answer without fear of reprisal?

Engaging with your employees by asking questions shows strong leadership. Make sure your intent is positive and not punitive. By using questions to build relationships and help your employees, you are showing the leadership your employees are seeking.

President, SACS Consulting & Investigative Services, Speaker, Trainer, Corporate Security Expert Timothy A. Dimoff, CPP, president of SACS Consulting & Investigative Services, Inc., is a speaker, trainer and author and a leading authority in high-risk workplace and human resource security and crime issues. He is a Certified Protection Professional; a certified legal expert in corporate security procedures and training; a member of the Ohio and International Narcotic Associations; the Ohio and National Societies for Human Resource Managers; and the American Society for Industrial Security. He holds a B.S. in Sociology, with an emphasis in criminology, from Dennison University. Contact him at info@sacsconsulting.com.