What if the right question changed everything?

Discover 99 next-level questions that create clarity, build trust, and drive results... without adding another meeting or memo.

http://www.NextQuestionGuide.com

Episode Synopsis

When James was being considered for a bigger role early in his career, his boss asked, “What do you want to do?” The question was well-intentioned but lacked context, trust, and direction. This episode exposes a common leadership blind spot: founders often expect confident answers from their teams without first creating the environment for honest dialogue. It’s not about asking better questions — it’s about creating the conditions for real answers.

Key Message: You can’t expect truth when people don’t feel safe or clear enough to share it.

Episode 50: Why Your Team Won’t Say What They’re Really Thinking

Episode 4 in the series Engaged Leaders

“What do you want to do?”

It sounds simple, but when asked without context or trust, it shuts people down.

In this episode, James shares a personal story from early in his career that exposes a leadership blind spot: founders and leaders often expect clarity they haven’t created. You’ll learn how to ask questions that invite honesty instead of hesitation — and how to build the kind of environment where people speak the truth even when it’s hard.

This episode is for founders who are tired of surface-level answers and want their teams to think, speak, and act with conviction.

Why leaders get vague answers from smart people
How to set context that draws out confident ideas
The difference between asking and earning clarity
What happens when people don’t feel safe enough to speak up

Reflection Questions

Where are you frustrated by vague answers but haven’t provided enough context for clarity?
What would change if you painted a clearer picture before asking for input?

Links and Resources