One way to build trust in the workplace is to listen. Listening is the most basic way to show respect. Another way is by helping your team to develop their problem-solving skills. To help people to get to the root cause of a problem, asking good questions is critical. Although solving problems is of great value, asking good questions brings more value than that.
Uncover the root cause of a problem and get more
It is necessary to ask comprehensive questions to uncover the root cause of a problem. For example, use open questions to ask what happened, how, and how often. This kind of question makes people think harder before answering. The thinking process may bring with it new ideas and different ways to see things. Moreover, it unleashes the hidden talents of the people.
When people feel that their work is meaningful, they feel better about themselves. Higher self-esteem is part of a good mental health state. Some benefits of good mental health are more clarity of thinking, better mood, and anxiety reduction. People with good mental health also experience an improvement in relationships. That is to say that something that started with someone asking good questions ends up helping not just the team but their family.
Ask good questions to build trust
If leadership often communicates with team members at all levels, they have the chance to create relationships beyond problem-solving exercises. Informal conversations are the perfect vehicle to know the person behind each team member. It is also a chance for those team members to learn the human side of their leaders.
Some leaders are nervous about asking their people for ideas. This hesitance many times comes from the fear of being weak or not worthy of their position. However, when a leader asks for help, it is shows vulnerability which helps to build trust. In other words, they show that they are honest about admitting that they know everything. Also, asking for help Is a sign of modesty. Good leaders are humble and trustworthy.
The value of asking good questions
Asking good questions is a skill that every leader should have. By asking, they help their team develop new skills and learn new ways to do things. Most of the time, those learnings are applicable not just at work but also in other settings. Problem-solving Is one of those skills that are helpful everywhere.
Team members that learn more and participate more from the site decision process through brainstorming and other activities feel better about their jobs. The feeling of being part of a group and have a meaningful job brings the added value of good mental health. An individual with good mental health has better relationships at work and home.
Finally, problem-solving is a team activity. Therefore collaboration, creativity, learning, and trust are added benefits of the idea’s inquiry process. For the business, the value of asking questions Includes better efficiency and lower costs. Above all, it can impact employee satisfaction and retention.
By asking the right questions in the right way, leaders can discover the next big idea for their business, the solution to what stops them from sleep at night, or how to change their company culture. Moreover, they will positively impact their team by helping them to grow.