Tricky Questions

Being a parent and a leader can create uncomfortable moments.

Spend any time with children and you are bound to get asked a tricky question.

You are also bound to receive further (often trickier) questions if you attempt to evade, skirt around or be anything less than open and honest with your answer to the original tricky question.

In our workplaces, we also get asked tricky questions. Or, we are required to have tricky conversations, or share tricky news.

In our workplaces, we know when we are not getting open and honest information, we notice when words and actions are not aligned, and we react to evasive or diversionary tactics.

Unlike when we are children, we don’t always follow up with further questions. We become more skilled at hiding our immediate reactions.

For leaders, a lack of questions is cause for concern.

As the saying goes, nature abhors a vacuum.

And, as with nature, we humans will work hard to fill the vacuum in our workplaces.

In safe environments, curiosity and questions abound, creating an open, transparent and trusting culture.

So, yes, tricky questions in any context can make us feel uncomfortable. Moving through it is vital, as on the other side of our discomfort is a change worth seeking, don’t you agree.

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