The Get Real Blog

What if you knew you had one year left to live? I asked a client this question today. He looked at me like I had antlers on my head. Oh Deer…pardon the pun. Listen, as leaders we need to be willing to ask tough questions and get ourselves and others out of our auto reply zone. I have been listening in on many conversations lately. They tend to smack of mundane, polite, niceties that may not be serving those around us. I find that a well placed “outrageous” question can really assist us in higher thinking.
 
We all know that Living Life as a Leader requires some unreasonable questions of ourselves and of others. These questions will generate an entirely different thought process for the people around us .Different thought processes create different results. If you are a person that is interested in generating different results, then I recommend asking different questions. Perhaps the questions are a bit edgy or thought provoking. It’s OK – it won’t hurt anybody. It will make us all think. I find the worst thing that can happen from an edgy question is; the person just does not want to answer. That’s OK too.
 
As you know, I endeavor to practice what I preach. So, I am also a fan of asking myself these kinds of questions on a regular basis. The results are mind blowing. For example: What could I do in 2009 to double my business? That question makes me think. You will also note these questions create inspiration and focus. You must admit that is a very different question than: How can I do the same sales volume that I accomplished last year? Or…How can I stay profitable in a tough economy? You will get an answer to the questions you ask. That is just sensible. The better the question – the better the answer- the better the answer – the better the solution – and the better the solution the better the result.  
 
I encourage all of you to practice asking some edgy questions and see what happens. You got no-thing to loose and every-thing to gain. Have fun and ask away.
 
Let me know what you discover?