In our coaching work, we try to ask good questions. Listening to a podcast recently, I was reminded that the root of the word question is “quest.” That struck a chord with me: A good question should help us on our quest to find the truth.
As leaders, we often feel we are there to tell people what to do and have all the answers. But, in fact, we are mostly paid the big bucks to ask good questions… and then listen.
Growing up, my brothers and I were huge fans of Monty Python and the Flying Circus. Their very British humor made us laugh out loud as we watched the Minister of Funny Walks, the Dead Parrot Skit, or as we sang along to the “Lumberjack Song” (which spoke to our Canadian roots). Their work was incredibly clever and creative and unlike anything we’d seen before. We couldn’t wait for the next episode.
The ensemble was so talented that they graduated from BBC TV to full-length feature films. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) is a comedy classic. If you haven’t seen it, treat yourself to an evening of pure, insane fun! In the movie, the knights of the round table go on a quest to seek and find the Holy Grail. At one point, the knights must pass a deranged gate keeper on the Bridge of Death by answering three questions.
“Stop! Who would cross the Bridge of Death must answer me these questions three, ere the other side he see,” says the Bridgekeeper.
The first question is “What’s is your name?” That’s an easy one.
The second question is one of life’s great quandaries: “What’s your quest?”
So, I ask you right now: What is your quest?
A quest is a long and often-arduous search for something. For some it might be grand like finding a cure to cancer. For others it could be the quest to be a world authority in a subject (which might include a doctoral degree that is taking much longer than expected). For others, it might be building an organization that becomes a household name for innovation, for others it might be mentoring a next generation of leaders.
A quest is a search for truth. In our work, for Adrian Gostick and I, our quest has been to develop great leaders in every organization where we coach, speak, and teach. With every new book we write, with every new speech we give, we ask: What does our audience need to know?
As a leader, every day should bring a quest for truth in the work you do. By asking good and insightful questions, you can help guide team members and get to the truth that can benefit your clients, organizations, and the communities you serve.
My favorite guide to asking the right questions is Michal Bungay Stanier’s book “The Coaching Habit.” MBS teaches the power of asking the right questions and then listening to the answers. It is a guide to becoming a better leader and guiding your team on their quest to your ultimate goal, and I highly recommend it.
MBS suggests that after you have asked your team member, “What is top of mind for you today?” the follow up question is “What else?” It may sound simple, but it’s brilliant. You start to peel back the onion and get to the core of the issues and problems that your employee needs solved. That little question shows that you really do care and want to get to the right answers to solve their problems, and that you value partnering with them to come up with solutions.
Great leaders ask great questions.
I ask you again: “What’s Your Quest?” What is your Holy Grail?
I would love to hear from you. Do you have a favorite question you ask at work? How are you helping your teams and clients get to their ultimate destinations?
Thank you for your wonderful support of our work, it really does mean the world to us. And good luck on your quest! I am always cheering for you.
Chester Elton
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