The Manager - 121 - Ask questions

THE MANAGER - BY ROB LAMBERT

Hi,
 
I hope you are all safe and well.
 
I’ve been lucky enough to spend the last week doing home schooling with the boys. It’s not easy at all and it’s taking energy and attention, but it’s teaching me a lot.
 
With three boys, with 2-3 years age difference between them, it’s enlightening to see how differently they approach their schoolwork. It’s required me to think about how I explain tricky ideas and concepts. I’ve created lots of doodles, drawings and visual explanations. I’m sharing some of this stuff on Instagram if you’re interested. And yes, some of it is properly rubbish, like a picture I drew of a dangerous piano player (don’t ask).
 
Anyway – I realised something quite quickly.
 
Kids ask lots of questions. They’re curious. 
 
It got me thinking about management.
 

A good manager always asks questions, a bad one always knows the answers

 
When I think back to some of the best managers, leaders and people I have ever worked with, they’ve always had one thing in common; they ask questions.
 
Some of the worst leaders, managers and people I’ve worked with also have something in common, they don’t ask questions and always know the answers. (Or think they do).
 
Questions keep a business alive and the best people ask lots of questions. Even if they know the answers, they still gain clarity, dig for details and broaden their understanding with questions.
 
When managers and leaders think they know all of the answers learning stops.

They miss out on insights, ideas and thoughts on how to make the business better. They rarely lean into problems - why would they when they already know the answers?
 
Leaders and managers who know the answers often make very poor strategic and tactical decisions. They often make rapid decisions based on their own poor judgment rather than slowing down and asking questions.

• What problem are we trying to solve? – Great question.

• Do we really have all of the facts? – Another great question.

• Are our assumptions correct? – spot on.

• Why did this happen? Wonderful question.

• What options do we have and what are the pros and cons to each? Perfect.

• What are our real problems and how can we take them on? Love it.

• What do you think? Powerful.

When we ask questions we gain knowledge, face reality and dig deep for the truth.
 
Today, if you always have the answers it may be worth slowing down and pondering whether you really do have all of the facts, nuances and details, or whether you’re making assumptions, applying solutions without understanding the patterns or simply avoiding reality.
 
If you’re already asking lots of questions, then keep going. But consider that most things, when taken to the extreme, can be detrimental. It’s not uncommon to find indecisive leaders and managers asking questions as a way to avoid making a decision and moving fast.
 
The best managers and leaders have been there to help me learn, grow, contribute, develop and take on more ownership.

How did they do it? By asking me questions, by letting me figure things out, by not always providing me with an answer.
 
Questions help you to face facts, gather data, gain knowledge – and when done right, these questions will keep your business alive.

FOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN

A few people have asked me to include a few extra details in the "brain food" section regarding books I'm reading and what other projects are in the pipeline. I've included some extra stuff - let me know what you think. 

1 -  I've been banging on about this for years - it's not your productivity hacks that matter, it's the systems of work. 

2 - Nice article on why Amazon is not all that convenient anymore....and why it's track record of employee problems may mean it's starting to lose its grip. 

3 - Why isn't there a line at the library...because changing ourselves is hard. Another good one from Seth Godin. 
 
4 - Are we going to be looking at salary cuts as people can now move out of major cities and work from home? American article but interesting
 
5 - Remote team? Here's how to lead it. 
 
6 - I always have at least 7 books on the go at any one time. It's just how my little brain works. I like to feed it different ideas. Here's some I'm reading. (Affiliate links). I'm learning to overcome my own fear of publishing with the help of Art and Fear - a cracking book on why creating art is hard. I'm still learning how to think like a Roman Emperor, journal better and destressify. I'm also reading this wonderful little book on how to get published as a writer. (warning - title has swearing in it)

7 - I’m learning the drums using a neat lesson app called Melodics. Very good indeed. I’m also using Austin Kleon’s 100-day practice, suck less printout to track this habit.

8 - I’ve been creating a giant calendar with my middle kid for use in a future Cultivated Management video about time blocking and energy and attention.

9 - I have a podcast called Stationery Freaks which is doing surprising well given we’re not marketing it. It’s a podcast about the potential of stationery and how to use it to live a good life.

Do you like the extra little stuff about current projects? Let me know. 
 

Learn with me

Learn how to develop your superpower in the world of work - effective communication skills.

My award winning in-person Communication workshop, is now online as a modular text only course. Complete it at your own pace, practice the lessons with practical exercises and develop a solid understanding of the science of communication. 

Find out more here.

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Thanks
Rob..