You Are Better Off Asking Questions

In leadership, you’re always better off asking questions than doing all the telling. When you tell, you hand out information. When you ask, you invite engagement. Questions open minds, build understanding, and create connections. They spark thought, ownership, and creativity.

Think about the best teachers, coaches, or leaders you’ve ever known. They didn’t just bark orders or lecture endlessly—they asked questions that made you think differently. “What do you think?” “How would you handle this?” “Is there another way to look at it?” Those simple questions empower people. They build judgment, confidence, and a sense of ownership in the outcome.

Someone once said, “Leaders who ask questions create thinkers; leaders who tell create followers.” They create teams that can adapt, decide, and lead themselves. Leaders who only tell rob others of the chance to grow. They build dependence instead of initiative.

After owning and operating several companies, I’ve learned one big truth: I don’t have all the answers. Nobody does. But by asking questions, I get to see what others see. Curiosity fuels learning. Asking questions builds trust and strengthens relationships because it shows genuine interest in others’ ideas and experiences. People don’t like to be told what to do—but they love to be asked what they think.

The best leaders understand this: the goal isn’t to have all the answers — it’s to find the right questions. Telling may give you control for the moment, but asking gives you influence that lasts. One closes the conversation; the other opens it.

So, before you rush to give your opinion, remember the power of four simple, one-syllable words: “What do you think?” You might be amazed at the insight, commitment, and creativity that follow. Curiosity is the engine of growth—and questions are its fuel.

If you want people to think,

then stop telling them what to think.