7 Game-Changing Questions Every Business Owner Should Ask

The inspiration for this article has come from 2 books I have recently read: Michael Bungay Stanier’s The Coaching Habit and Brian Souza’s The Weekly Coaching Conversation.?

If your reaction to that first sentence is “but that’s not for me, because I’m a business owner, not a coach”, therein lies a challenge.

Why? 44% of employees report never having received any constructive coaching or developmental feedback. Imagine if a sports team was managed like this?

Why aren’t more business leaders coaching their teams? The answer is very simple - they have never been taught the right approach to enable people to fulfill their potential and contribute to a high performance team.

If you truly want to become a great leader, the first step is realising that to reach you and your business’ potential, the only way is to enable your team members to achieve theirs.

Here’s a great starting point - 7 questions to get the most from your people:

1. What's on your mind?: Start every coaching conversation by asking this question to allow your team members to share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. This question encourages open communication and shows that you value their input.
2. What's working well?: By asking this question, you can identify what your team members are doing right and leverage their strengths. Acknowledging and appreciating their successes boosts morale and motivation.
3. What are your key priorities?: Help your team members focus on the most important tasks and goals by asking them to identify their key priorities. This question encourages alignment and ensures that everyone is working towards shared objectives.
4. How can I support you?: Show your team members that you are there to help them by asking this question. By understanding their needs and challenges, you can provide the necessary resources, guidance, and support to help them succeed.
5. What obstacles are you facing?: Encourage your team members to identify the roadblocks that are hindering their progress. This question helps them think critically about the challenges they're facing and allows you to provide guidance or remove obstacles if needed.
6. What's your next best step?: Inspire action and forward momentum by asking this question. Help your team members identify the most effective next step towards their goals. Encourage them to take ownership of their development and decision-making process.
7. What did you learn from this experience?: Foster a culture of continuous learning and growth by asking this question. Encourage reflection and help your team members extract valuable insights from their experiences. This question promotes self-awareness and encourages personal development.

Remember to actively listen, be present, and provide constructive feedback during these coaching conversations. By regularly asking these questions and engaging in meaningful discussions, you can empower your team members, foster their professional growth, and improve overall team performance.

In the Spotlight….How can values contribute to your business performance?

Why do some people not believe in the benefits of core values in a business?

What does Dos Dedos mean and where does the name come from?

I really enjoyed exploring these and other questions with Stuart Bradley, Founder of Dos Dedos, a consultancy specialising in values based leadership.

Stuart also reflects on his top lessons from being a business owner, including operating in the moment and leaning into issues at every opportunity.

And Finally……..From Comfort Zone to Success Zone: How to Embrace Courage for Breakthrough Results

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