Some Questions for Leaders to Mull On

Some questions are design to give a specific answer. For example: what's the cost of distribution as a percentage of sales? The answer needs to be precise and accurate. And, the answer closes the question.

Other questions are open - there is no precise or accurate answer, and the interim answer may well be different at different points in time, or under different circumstances. 

Here are some useful open questions to mull on:

1) If there were the ghost of a dead idea haunting the organization, what would it be?

2) What does the gap look like between what you are currently accomplishing (and settling for) and what you want?

3) In what way do you show your openness to conversations that highlight the gap?

4) To what extent are you willing to deal with the disturbance that addressing the gap will cause? 

5) What results can't you get around here?

6) What mechanism do you have for opposing views to be expressed, and in what way does that allow for better decisions?

7) What are the good things you do today that you would resist changing? 

8) About what topics is your speaking and actions misaligned - where you don't walk the talk?

9) What are you afraid others might find out about you?