Don’t Answer the Question
| Over the past few weeks, we’ve been exploring how leaders can begin to claw back time. We challenged a few assumptions along the way: “I don’t have time.” “I need to address this right now.” “If I don’t respond immediately, things will stall.” Many leaders experiment with pausing after recognizing those patterns. But that pause creates a new question: What should you actually do in that moment? For many leaders, the instinct is still to provide the answer, just a little more slowly. But there’s another option. Instead of answering the question, shift the conversation. Ask a better one. For example: Instead of answering: “What should we do here?” A leader might ask: “What options have you considered?” Or: “What do you think the best path forward is?” Or: “What information would help you make that decision?” That small shift changes the role of the leader in the conversation. The leader moves from problem solver to thinking partner. Over time, something important begins to happen. People arrive with more preparation. They think through issues before escalating them. They begin developing their own judgment. The leader is still involved. But the conversation becomes different. Instead of being the place where answers live, the leader becomes the place where thinking improves. This week, try one small experiment. When someone brings you a question, pause. Then ask one question back before offering your answer. Often, that single question is enough to move the conversation forward. Next week, we’ll close the series by looking at one final shift leaders make when they begin reclaiming time: moving from managing problems to shaping direction. |
