5 Questions Great Leaders Ask

David Burkus
4 min readDec 19, 2023

It may seem like leaders need to have all the answers. Presumably, they became leaders by being smart, hardworking individual contributors who had the answers most of the time. But while knowing what to do is important, great leaders believe that knowing what questions to ask is even more vital. Especially when it comes to leading the team. Asking them the right questions instead of barking out the answers will lead to a higher performing team.

In this article, we’ll outline 5 questions great leaders ask to promote growth, collaboration, and trust within their teams. These questions are not just about directing the team, but also about understanding the team’s strengths, identifying areas for improvement, providing necessary support, and seeking feedback for personal growth. These questions align the team towards common goals, focus on strengths, encourage feedback and improvement, and promote a servant leadership mentality.

Where Are We Going?

The first question great leaders ask is, “Where are we going?” This question helps to identify the projects and progress of the team, providing a clear direction and goals for everyone involved. It’s about understanding the key performance indicators and aligning the team towards a common vision, often referred to as the North Star or Commander’s Intent. This vision serves as a guiding…

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David Burkus

Author of BEST TEAM EVER | Keynote Speaker | Organizational Psychologist | Thinkers50 Ranked Thought Leader | davidburkus.com/social