Tag: Questions

Improving Communication

December 3, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Communication is challenging. We usually think others understand clearly. Often times, we even expect others to read our minds, the old reading between the lines.

However, others do not always understand. Thus, we need to work on our ability to communicate. Every leader must constantly work to improve their communication skills.

Learn to listen. Stop reading between the lines or thinking of what to say next.

Repeat back what was heard. This step ensures understanding.

Ask questions. This helps clarify areas we might have misunderstood.

Think before responding. Take time to consider a proper response.

Catalyst…part 2

January 30, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

As a catalyst, leaders incite forward and positive movement. For a leader to benefit in developing the characteristics of a catalyst, there must be a genuine interest in others.

A genuine interest in others requires a few key components.

1) Ability to listen. We must listen to the words, body language, and tone of voice.

2) Eye contact. Avoid looking at your watch. While challenging, it is vital to showing interest.

3) Appropriate questions. Ask polite questions, interest questions, and caring questions.

A few key components make a catalyst leader effective in their leadership.

Catalyst…part 2

January 19, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

As a catalyst, leaders incite forward and positive movement. For a leader to benefit in developing the characteristics of a catalyst, there must be a genuine interest in others.

A genuine interest in others requires a few key components.

1) Ability to listen. We must listen to the words, body language, and tone of voice.

2) Eye contact. Avoid looking at your watch. While challenging, it is vital to showing interest.

3) Appropriate questions. Ask polite questions, interest questions, and caring questions.

A few key components make a catalyst leader effective in their leadership.

Two Questions

June 14, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Two words with three letters each. The most powerful questions to be considered.

The first is why? The implication is to determine the purpose behind decisions being made and actions taken.

Why does this task require leadership?
Why should we pursue this direction?
Why is this work important?
Why is this the best course of action?

The second is how? Once we understand the purpose, we must determine how we will fulfill it.

How do I become a better leader?
How will we accomplish the task?
How should we handle obstacles?
How can we get others involved?

Nothing could be stronger from a spiritual perspective.

Genuine Interest

March 21, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

A genuine interest in others is easier said than done. As well, there are some individuals we are more genuinely interested in than others.

Having a genuine interest in all people requires a few key components.

Genuine interest requires the ability to listen. Learn to listen with your ears and your heart.

Genuine interest requires eye contact. When there is disinterest, focus on good eye contact.

Genuine interest requires appropriate questions. Who? What? When? Where? How? and Why? all help identify interests.

A few key components, like a genuine interest in others, makes an effective leader.

Preventing Emergencies

February 10, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Recognizing problems in advance and preventing them from becoming emergencies both provide powerful benefits.

What can a leader do to recognize these problems in advance?

Accept that problems will happen. Living in denial, ignoring, or hoping a problem will go away is an invitation for an emergency.

Practice good communication. Many problems could be detected sooner if leaders listened more carefully.

Ask appropriate questions. At the first sign of a problem, learn to ask the right questions.

Learn from the past. Lessons learned from previous experience are a foundation for the future.

There are no exact lists to resolve every problem in advance. However, these few will help.

Hard Questions

January 11, 2023 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Answering questions can be challenging. Some questions make us very uncomfortable, at least they do me.

How will we answer for our leadership? To whom will we answer?

Are we leading others to a better life in relationship to God?

Do our words and actions provide a leadership of hope?

Will others view our leadership as serving others or serving ourselves?

Why are we leading?

Leadership is not intended to be disheartening or discouraging. We are challenged to lead in the greatest arena, with the greatest motive, for the greatest cause.

Where will we lead?

An Engaging leader

July 25, 2022 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Engaging people is vital to the role of leadership. Leaders must hold the attention of those who follow, engaging them in the direction to be taken.

Engaging followers involves three critical components:

1) Speak to people’s needs. Without understanding the needs of others, how can you engage them to follow?

2) Establish a connection. Relate to people on the same level. To speak above or beneath someone prevents engagement.

3) Ask the right questions. Often times, people are not engaged because they were never asked the right questions.

More could be said, but these will make a difference when striving to engage others.

A Leading Question

April 8, 2022 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

A leading question is an attempt to get someone else to communicate their understanding of facts, knowledge, or feelings. From a legal perspective, it is often used to get someone to answer a question in a specific way, leading them to often incriminate themselves or someone else.

At times, leaders may need to use both. We use questions for several reasons.

1) When others are encouraged to communicate, they feel appreciated and important.

2) We learn more by listening. We learn about feelings, desires, struggles, joys, and sorrows.

3) We create a powerful learning environment. Leaders will be surprised what they learn when creative minds are unleashed.

Questions for the Heart

April 5, 2022 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

“Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.” Henri Nouwen

Imagine a congregation where, at the end of the day, everyone took the time to answer these questions affirmatively. If we focused on putting the needs, concerns, cares, worries, and desires of others first, the church and this world would sure be a different place.

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