by Laura Camacho, PhD

As a leader, telling people what to do is easy. I love it. The only problem is it doesn't work. Asking questions engages the brain at a deeper level than simply listening. Questions also foster co-creation, build better relationships, and spark new ideas.

Here are five questions designed to enhance relationships, fuel ambition, and energize yourself.

1. To Initiate a Solid Relationship:

To initiate a solid relationship with someone you don’t know, ask, "What are you most excited about right now?" This question opens the door to understanding someone's passions, whether it’s a new baby, a promotion, or their kid's cricket game. It shows genuine interest and starts off the relationship on a solid foundation.

2. To Improve Any Situation:

Inspired by Chris Dever, co-author of "Brave Together," use the "Mirror Test." Ask yourself, "What do I need to do differently?" This question prompts you to take control and make necessary changes, whether it’s taking a break, calling someone, or acting on something you’ve been procrastinating.

3. Fuel Your Ambition When Feeling Stuck:

For ambitious goals, especially when resources are scarce, don’t ask, “Can we?”, ask, "How can we?" For example, how can we grow profitability without working more hours? This approach, highlighted by Adam Morgan in "A Beautiful Constraint," encourages creative solutions. A young furniture company, for instance, hosted events in customer homes near an expo to showcase their products without paying the high exhibition fees at the expo.

4. To Deepen Existing Relationships:

To build deeper connections with those you know well, ask, "What inspires you?" This question taps into their source of creativity and motivation, fostering meaningful conversations without delving into awkwardly personal territory.

5. To Energize Yourself:

When feeling drained, ask, "What do I need right now?" This simple question can lead to immediate actions like drinking water, taking a walk, or making a phone call. It helps you stay attuned to your needs and maintain your top performance.

Recap of the questions:

1. What are you most excited about right now?

2. What do I need to do differently?

3. How can we...?

4. What inspires you?

5. What do I need right now?

By asking the right questions, you can unlock new levels of abundance, inspiration, and connection. Stay curious and keep asking transformative questions.

Laura Camacho, MBA, PhD, PMP, is an executive coach, trainer and speaker who opened Mixonian Institute in 2009 to rid the world of boring business communication. She has created innovative training programs for local and international companies, related to leadership effectiveness, excellent feedback, growth mindset and emotional intelligence. Multilingual, Dr. Camacho’s career highlights include facilitating The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (in Spanish,) being editor of the leading management newsletter in Venezuela. For 10 years she taught communication classes at ECU and College of Charleston. www.speakupwithlaura.com