My best managers shared a common trait: they asked great questions.
Their questions get to the heart of an issue; bringing clarity and structure. They avoid the unimportant, and keep the end goal in mind.
In contrast, I’ve noticed how poorer managers jump to conclusions, suggest ideas without adequate context, and how they lack the curiosity and confidence to ask questions.
To improve our own question-asking skills, we should get comfortable increasing our ratio of asking questions to giving answers. And then, over time, continually refine the quality of our questions to get to what matters faster.