How Asking the Right Questions Transforms Organisations

Author - Kate Fletcher

FutureMakers

Yesterday, I had the privilege of chairing a dynamic peer group of exceptional CEOs. Every time we meet, I’m reminded of how powerful great questions can be. These leaders consistently outperform their competition, and at the core of their success is their ability to ask transformative questions. More than just seeking answers, they nurture this skill within their leadership teams, fostering a culture of inquiry that drives innovation and adaptability.

The Power of Curiosity in Leadership

One of the most underrated leadership skills is the ability to ask the right questions. Great questions do more than uncover answers, they open up new perspectives, challenge assumptions, and spark innovation. In today’s fast-moving business world, where rapid growth and adaptation are critical, the leaders who thrive aren’t the ones with all the answers, they’re the ones who ask the most thought-provoking questions.

Why Curiosity Matters for CEOs

Curiosity drives transformation. Asking the right questions leads to exploration, creativity, and a deeper understanding of both challenges and opportunities. By encouraging a culture of inquiry, CEOs enable their teams to find solutions that go beyond the obvious. They create space for bold ideas and push the organisation to innovate, adapt, and stay ahead.

As a CEO, you’re often expected to have the answers, but the real power lies in asking the right questions. It’s these questions that fuel innovation and help teams move from simply executing tasks to driving transformation.

Great Questions Are the Magic Sauce

In high-growth environments, leaders can feel pressure to provide immediate solutions. But leaders who constantly give answers risk stifling their team’s creativity. Shifting from an answer-giving mindset to one focused on inquiry is what separates innovative organisations from stagnant ones.

The key to great questions is that they:

Open thinking, rather than close it.
Encourage exploration, not immediate solutions.
Invite diverse perspectives, pushing beyond one-dimensional thinking.
Challenge assumptions, leading to deeper understandin

Instead of giving directions, perhaps ask your team:

What are we missing?
What assumptions are driving this decision?
What would happen if we did the opposite?

Questions like these inspire new ways of thinking and empower teams to take ownership of both the problem and the solution. Leading with curiosity cultivates more engaged, innovative, and adaptive teams.

Curiosity Fuels Innovation

Curiosity is more than a personal trait; it’s a cultural mindset. For CEOs leading scale-up businesses, fostering a curiosity-driven culture is essential to long-term growth.

Here’s how you can cultivate that mindset:

• Encourage a Safe Environment for Questions: If people are afraid to ask the simple or obvious questions, they’ll stick to what they know. Breakthroughs come from curiosity, so let your team know that all questions are valuable.

• Role Model Curiosity at the Top: Curiosity starts with you. Lead by example and ask open-ended questions that push your team to think more deeply. The more questions you ask, the more likely your team will follow suit.

• Hire for Curiosity: When scaling, prioritise hiring people who are naturally curious and eager to learn over past experiences. Look for candidates who ask insightful questions and show a passion for exploration.

Break Down Silos: Curiosity thrives when diverse perspectives are shared. Encourage cross-functional collaboration to break down silos and open the door to innovative solutions.
Reward Experimentation over Perfection: Innovation comes from experimentation, and sometimes failure. Encourage a culture where learning and trying new approaches are rewarded—even if the outcome isn’t perfect.

Curiosity = Adaptability

In the unpredictable world of rapid scaling, a culture of curiosity ensures your team isn’t just reacting to changes, they’re adapting and staying ahead. Curiosity builds resilience by fostering a mindset of continuous learning. When your team is curious, they’re always seeking new information, staying open to change, and being proactive in finding solutions. This adaptability is what separates businesses that scale smoothly from those that struggle.

Practical Tools for Leading with Curiosity

To foster curiosity, CEOs need to be intentional. Here are three thoughts for embedding curiosity into your leadership:

Start Meetings with a Big Question
Shift the focus from reporting to exploring new possibilities. Begin each meeting with a thought-provoking question that encourages forward-thinking.

Conduct ‘What If’ Sessions
Dedicate time for brainstorming radical ideas. Ask “What if?” questions that challenge your team to think outside the box and explore new directions.

End Reviews with Reflection
After major projects, reflect on the process. Ask questions like:
o What went well?
o What could we have done differently?
o What questions should we have asked earlier?

Final Thought:

Curiosity is the Catalyst for Transformation

At the heart of successful leadership isn’t having all the answers—it’s asking the right questions. As a CEO, your greatest asset is your ability to foster curiosity within your organisation. By leading with curiosity, you create a culture that’s not only innovative and adaptable but one that continuously pushes the boundaries of what’s possible.

Lead with curiosity, and watch your organisation transform.

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