Helping your business think forward

As business owners, we often expect to have the right answer.  After all, it’s our business, right?  We should understand what’s happening and why.

From jhhwild via Flickr

However, the search for the right answer often leaves us unable to ask the right questions about our business.  Leadership expert John Maxwell wrote a great blog post last week highlighting why asking the right question is more important than always having the right answer.

I learned business as an accountant.  Like in many businesses, many people come to me looking for “the accountant” to solve their problems.  I quickly learned that I needed to know how to ask the right questions for several reasons.

• Questions challenge the process – We all get stuck in ruts far too often and do things because “that’s the way we’ve always done it.”  A well-placed question will help others challenge their own assumptions.
• Questions draw upon others’ strengths – Good leaders and business owners know how to draw the most creative and strongest attributes from those working with them.  Questions help your team search within themselves for the right answers.
• Questions show you are not afraid to involve others - The image of the “lone wolf” business leader is a myth.  A “leader” who sits in an office all day will quickly lose the trust of staff, suppliers, and customers.

I still struggle with focusing on the right questions, because I like helping others and sharing my expertise.  However, I work hard every day on searching for the right question instead of trying to deliver the right answer.  Smart leaders should do the same.

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