The Alphabet Q of Leadership For The Young Mind

As a mother I have come to learn that the solutions to most of life’s problems lie not in the right answers but in the right questions. Children do this right – they are innocently curious and express this through repeated questions. The most famous is the ‘WHY’ question. The easiest tool for learning is the use of questions. There’s an adage where I come from which says that ‘when you ask for directions, you never miss your way.’ I am sure you know this to be so true. The key word here is ASK.

The Q of Leadership for the young mind is QUESTIONING. This is an important navigation tool for life. As you know, life is a journey not a destination and as a traveler, you need maps to direct you – that is the usefulness of questions. Questioning is a key skill that successful individuals and great leaders have in common. The courage and ability to make use of the questioning tool will to a large extent determine the quality of answers we get in life. You must be willing to ask questions in order to enjoy the journey called ‘LIFE.’

From a tender age we are taught the 6 ‘W’ questions; Why, What, Who, When, Where and How. The reason being, our success is dependent on our ability to use these questions. Some years ago I experienced a fulfilment gap and I launched into a quest for my ‘Why’ that is, my purpose. Question after question led me into a deep soul searching and I gradually began to figure out my ‘why.’ The moment I was clear as to what my purpose is, I then began to figure out the ‘how.’ Soon after I figured out the when that is, time and of course the ‘who’ – those I intend to collaborate with to birth my purpose.

Questions have a way of introducing us to ourselves in terms of our strengths and areas for improvement. When we ask questions, it becomes easy to identify our comfort zone and our capacity zone. Your comfort zone is where you operate at average, your capacity zone is where you operate at the optimal levels. Success is available in the comfort zone while Significance is achievable only in the Capacity zone. A good question to ask is ‘am I doing the best I can?’

Good Leaders ask great questions

-John C. Maxwell

Whether as a student, entrepreneur or employee, you require a questioning environment to thrive. As an employer or manager of people you are to create this questioning environment. Imagine not being able to ask your teachers questions – how then do you understand? or not being able to ask your manager and those around you questions! How then do you get clarity to enable you deliver on goals and tasks successfully? The only way to kill ignorance is to ask questions. Likewise, the only way to deliver great results is to ask questions. Questions are useful daily, in transitions, for projects and at intersections in life.

Some of the benefits include:

·      Questions enrich and add rigor to our thought process

·  It illuminates and enlightens

·      It releases capacity and creativity

·      It enables self-awareness which unlocks potential

·      Questions provide clarity which enables proper allocation of scarce resources

·      It builds relationships

·      Helps challenge the status quo to create a better environment

·      Helps planning

As you journey through life always remember it is more important to ask questions than it is to provide answers. The right questions will elicit the right answers.

Exercise:

 Try asking yourself certain questions daily e.g:

o  What will be the best use of my time today?

o  How will I contribute to my world?

o  What will I do if I knew I would not fail?

o  Who so I need in my circle to be the best I can be?

To all my readers, thank you for keeping faith.