10 questions every successful leader needs to ask themselves in 2017

I'm not a big one for new year's resolutions. Instead, here are 10 questions any leader would do well to ask themselves at the start of 2017. (Or anytime, really).

Before posting this article on LinkedIn, I shared some of these questions with the online Leaders Network I run. Thanks to the great feedback, the final version of this article is more of a joint effort... The best kind of leadership usually is.

1) What is the greatest value you offer others and how can you make more time for this in 2017?

When I'm stuck in the weeds of the day-to-day demands, this question gets me thinking about what's most important about my work and how I can serve others best. But having time to do our most valuable work is not the only barrier. We also need the courage to try.

2) If you weren't afraid of failing, what would you risk now to create a highly successful outcome for others or your business?

In my line of work, people hire me for my expertise. But my desire to live up to others' expectations and to have the "answer" can get in the way of the best work I do. Namely, listening deeply. Thinking fresh thoughts. And speaking my mind. So for me, I'd risk my reputation as an expert to create successful outcomes for others.

3) What is the single most important thing for you to learn or improve in 2017?

My answer to this question lies in the power of small actions practised consistently. I'm reminded of the story of the hare and the tortoise. With persistence, I could achieve almost anything. So this year is about small building blocks and daily habits to build momentum.

4) If you knew your next idea would get 100% support from your senior stakeholders, what would you propose?

The politics inherent in organisations and the persistence required to get good ideas moving has caused many a leader to give up sharing their ideas. But sometimes this dearth of ideas is down to a leader's self-doubt or fear of rejection. Until we're willing to take a bet on ourselves and our ideas, it's much harder for anyone else to do so. So a better question might be, If you knew your ideas are good and worthy of consideration, what would you propose?

5) If you could turn your current job into something you never wanted to give up, how would you do it?

The original question was, "If you had this job for the rest of your life, what would you do with it?" A few people replied and said, "Gosh, that's a depressing thought... but a good question!" So to avoid bringing on any post-Christmas, January blues (and thanks to Barry for his input), here it is in its more uplifting form!

6) How can you be a better team member?

Much gets written about being a good leader, but much less about being a good follower. If you’re a leader of one team, you’re probably also a team member in another. What do you value in your own team members and how can you replicate this in following your leaders?

7) If you could teach your team to do everything you did today (better than you did it today), what would you do instead?

Sometimes we're our own worst enemy, hell-bent on doing everything ourselves. I don't want to count how many times I've heard leaders say to me, "I probably should have got someone in my team to do that." Although it can seem like it's quicker to do it ourselves, it's often costing us time which could be better spent on more strategic activities... which takes us to question 8.

8) If you could only work 2 hours per day, what would you focus on?

This is a tough question. But worth some thought, even if you never actually work a 2 hour day. Very little of what we spend our time on contributes to our success and effectiveness. The tricky bit is working out which little bit counts!

9) What else could this mean?

The meaning we give anything fuels our subsequent feelings, thoughts and actions. And it's all too easy to make assumptions and jump to conclusions. As leaders, we're also instrumental in helping others make meaning of their situation. Try asking this question the next time someone comes to you upset or angry.

10) If the only way you could reward your team was with your kindness, what would you do for them this year?

Jason said it best in his reply to me, "Be consistent, say thank you and mean it." If you want some more ideas, here's my thoughts:

• Find out when each person's birthday is and make it special. A thoughtful gift from you (not from your PA). Maybe even the day off.
• Say thank you more often. Personally. With specifics.
• Engage with each person on a regular basis. Take them out. Just the two of you for coffee or lunch or a stroll outside the office. Then do something fun with the whole team every once in a while.
• Open up a little bit more about your world; invite one of your team members to a meeting with one of your mentors, or a presentation with your boss.
• List the things you appreciate about each person. Sit down on a regular basis (not just at the end of the year) and make an actual list. And then find opportunities to tell them, maybe even give them the full list.
• Ask for their ideas. Listen quietly. Give those ideas careful thought. And then let them know what you chose to do and why.
• And don't forget to say thank you. Again.

Writing yourself into being

If you're anything like Katy, she wrote to me saying, "I love the thought of answering these sorts of questions but when I come to put pen to paper – I just can’t face it!" If that's you too, pick just one question, your favourite, and take a few minutes to write free-form, without structure or censoring. Once you've finished, make a diary note to re-read it in 2 or 3 weeks.

In work, we usually write to tell others what we think... emails, proposals, business cases, whitepapers etc. But here I'm talking about a different kind of writing. Writing as a method of discovery. A way of becoming. It's one of the best leadership tools I know.

I write because I want to find something out. I write in order to learn something that I did not know before I wrote it.

~ Laurel Richardson

Over to you

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Let me know in the comments below:

• Which was your favourite question?
• What other questions are you asking yourself at the beginning of 2017?

And if you liked this article and want to know more about the online Leaders Network, send me a connection request and let's chat.