Question Time.

I mentioned in a previous blog about how in leadership you need to ask good questions to get the best out of yourself and the people around you. In this blog I want to explore a little more about the purpose and potential this attitude (it is all about wanting to learn rather than simply finding a solution) of asking good questions can impact a leaders effectiveness. This is an area I still find difficult but have developed more in the last few years. I constantly have to ask myself "have I asked enough good questions today."

The first thing to set straight is to dispel the myth that everyone hates having to answer difficult questions! This was how I once thought but now realise that people can handle difficult questions and consequently change, if the right questions are asked in the right way. Many people think that if you question someone about their effectiveness you are telling them they are not very good at their job despite your motives being honourable. So what how can we achieve the best outcomes when tackling difficult issues with people.

For example: You want to find out why a task has not been consistently being fulfilled by a staff member. The most effective way to challenge as to "why" a job or task hasn't been done is to try and discover what factors are hindering them in achieving there goal. Just by simply wanting finding out why something hasn't been done may not mean that it doesn't happen again in the future. You need to ask questions that help people discover answers and solutions. Questions such as: What 3 things hinder you carrying out your role? What changes do you need to make to improve your effectiveness?

In the church we seem to want to avoid difficult questions and conflict at all cost so that we don't have to deal with the stuff that may result. This however is not honour to the church, the members or indeed God. Jesus is often found to be asking question of his closest friends not to catch them out or to embarrass them but to draw out there own believes and characters. This is the job of a leader and one Jesus does brilliantly in order to prepare the disciples for there challenge. Develop the church for the mission of God.

The second thing to be reminded of is that question nothing is not an option. In my experience asking the wrong questions or doing it in the wrong way is far better than just going with the norm. Apathy is one of the most dangerous places a church can find itself. For it is an apathetic church that will die slowly but surely. It is through questioning, especially good questions, where God can reveal and revive a otherwise stationary congregation. From the prospective of the leader by asking questions you give others the opportunity to answer (from their prospective) and opinions shared. Once you begin to ask good questions, there is not going back and change is already afoot.

Go on, ask the questions but be ready to hear the answers.

Matt