We’ve all been there, running through the motions of a 1-2-1, checking boxes, and getting polite, surface-level answers. But as this post highlights, "polite" rarely drives performance. In my work with executive teams, I’ve found that the quality of a leader's output is directly tied to the quality of their curiosity. If you want specific results, you have to ask specific questions. Question #3 is a personal favourite: "What’s a decision you’re waiting on from me?" It takes courage to ask, but it’s the fastest way to clear the path for your team. Which of these 5 questions would change the dynamic of your next 1-2-1? #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #EffectiveCommunication #TeamGrowth #CoachingMalta
When you ask "How are you?", you’ll almost always get the same default response: "I’m good, thanks. You?" It’s a polite social script, but in a high-stakes leadership environment, it’s a wasted opportunity. It doesn't uncover bottlenecks, it doesn't build trust, and it definitely doesn't help your team grow. If you want to move past the surface and actually support your people, you need to change the prompt. Try these 5 questions in your next 1-on-1 instead: 1. "What’s the one thing on your plate this week that’s draining your energy?" Why it works: It identifies friction points before they lead to "Quiet Cracking" or burnout. 2. "If you could remove one recurring meeting or process from your week, what would it be?" Why it works: It permits them to be a "process architect" and helps you spot organisational bloat. 3. "What’s a decision you’re waiting on from me that’s holding you back?" Why it works: It turns the mirror on you. It identifies where you are the bottleneck without making the employee feel like they’re "complaining." 4. "What’s one thing you’ve learned this week that we should be sharing with the rest of the team?" Why it works: It reinforces a growth mindset and moves the conversation from "tasks" to "insights." 5. "On a scale of 1–10, how 'clear' is our current priority? What would it take to get to a 10?" Why it works: It measures alignment. If they say 7, you now have a specific gap to bridge. Better leadership starts with better curiosity. When you ask specific questions, you get specific data. When you get specific data, you can provide meaningful support. Which of these would be the most revealing for your team right now? #LeadershipTips #Management #ExecutiveCoaching #EmployeeEngagement #OneOnOnes