Manager, Do You Use Questions as an Interrogator or Explorer?

Every encounter with someone on your team offers a chance to create value, promote learning and growth, and encourage development.

Or not.A large part of the outcome from your daily encounters with team members depends upon your careful use of questioning.Are you an interrogator or an explorer? Depending upon your style, the outcomes are very different.

A Confession—I was an Interrogator

I love to learn how people think. Do they see the big picture? Are they good critical thinkers? Do they consider different frames and approaches as they problem-solve?

After all, I always wanted the best, brightest, and fastest on my teams.I was in constant judging mode and had an interrogation style that would make a big-city district attorney proud. If the verdict came back less than favorable during a couple of encounters, it was time to consider a trade.