--- title: "Episode 42: CEOs and Powerful Questions" description: Kay Edwards, founder and CEO of Outsight Network, is passionate about helping leaders find greater clarity in complex times and believes that asking better questions is the way to get there. In this episode, she shares wisdom on how we can all ask better questions--whether in day-to-day practicalities or longer-term complexities. In either case, better questions yield far better results. image: https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hubfs/031522%20-%20Kay%20Edwards%20Blog%20Post%20Header.png --- ![www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI Logo (New)DGI Logo - Landscape-1](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI%20Logo%20(New)DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape-1.png?width=200&height=93&name=www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI%20Logo%20(New)DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape-1.png) ![www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI Logo (New)DGI Logo - Landscape-1](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI%20Logo%20(New)DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape-1.png?width=200&height=93&name=www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI%20Logo%20(New)DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape-1.png) ![www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI Logo (New)DGI Logo - Landscape-1](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/social-suggested-images/www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI%20Logo%20(New)DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape-1.png?width=200&height=93&name=www.designgroupinternational.comhs-fshubfs_DGI%20Logo%20(New)DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape-1.png) - [ABOUT US ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/javascript;) - What is Process Consulting? - [MEET US ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/javascript;) - Areas of Specialty - Meet Our Process Consultants - Meet our Partners and Senior Consultants - Meet our Consultants - [Maestro-level leaders](https://www.maestrosuiteadvisors.com/) - [Society for Process Consulting](https://www.maestrosuiteadvisors.com/) - [Culture Change Leadership](https://www.acausegreater.org/) - [BE A CONSULTANT ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/javascript;) - Explore Process Consulting - Community of Practice - Shared Platform - [BE CREDENTIALED](https://linktr.ee/MaestroSuiteAdvisors) - [RESOURCES ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/javascript;) - Blog Library - Books - Podcasts - Cohorts - Case Studies - [ABOUT US ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/javascript;) - What is Process Consulting? - [MEET US ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/javascript;) - Areas of Specialty - Meet Our Process Consultants - Meet our Partners and Senior Consultants - Meet our Consultants - [Maestro-level leaders](https://www.maestrosuiteadvisors.com/) - [Society for Process Consulting](https://www.maestrosuiteadvisors.com/) - [Culture Change Leadership](https://www.acausegreater.org/) - [BE A CONSULTANT ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/javascript;) - Explore Process Consulting - Community of Practice - Shared Platform - [BE CREDENTIALED](https://linktr.ee/MaestroSuiteAdvisors) - [RESOURCES ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/javascript;) - Blog Library - Books - Podcasts - Cohorts - Case Studies Get Started # Episode 42: CEOs and Powerful Questions ![Kristin Evenson](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hubfs/Kristin%20Evenson.jpeg) by [Kristin Evenson](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/author/kristin-evenson) March 15, 2022 ![031522 - Kay Edwards Blog Post Header](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/031522%20-%20Kay%20Edwards%20Blog%20Post%20Header.png?width=525&name=031522%20-%20Kay%20Edwards%20Blog%20Post%20Header.png) Or Listen on your Favorite Platform: [![Spotify](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/spotify-icon-green-logo-8.png?width=25&name=spotify-icon-green-logo-8.png)](https://open.spotify.com/show/1AA0Ddsaplyjsriqtsi8G2)[ ![Apple Podcast](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Apple%20Podcast.jpg?width=25&name=Apple%20Podcast.jpg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-third-turn/id1531836413)[ ![Google Podcasts](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Google%20Podcasts.png?width=25&name=Google%20Podcasts.png) ](https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yY2YyM2NlMC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==)[ ![Pandora](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pandora.png?width=25&name=Pandora.png)  ](https://www.pandora.com/podcast/the-3rd-turn/PC:43267)[![Anchor FM](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/anchor.png?width=25&name=anchor.png)](https://anchor.fm/thethirdturn) CEOs and Powerful Questions [Episode #42 of the Third Turn Podcast with Kay Edwards](https://anchor.fm/thethirdturn/episodes/CEOs-and-Powerful-Questions-e1es4lj) Kay Edwards believes that great leaders don't have better answers, they ask better questions. In this episode, Kay shares what she’s learned about asking powerful questions, and the clarity these questions can yield when we’re otherwise overwhelmed by too much complexity and too much information. Known in some circles as “the question lady,” Kay is both purveyor and student of good questions.  So she’s got some really helpful wisdom to share for us as leaders, relative to both: - **Practical, daily-reality questions:**  How relatively subtle shifts in intent and phraseology can yield really helpful responses in and from those we lead. - **Future-focused strategy questions:** Our tendency to ask questions that narrow our options rather than broadening our perspective and deepening our insight. (Kay quotes a study that shows roughly 60% of executive decisions are wrong--not because people aren’t smart, but because they’ve limited the options they’re willing to consider.) Especially for leaders at the Third Turn, good, creative questions accompany and guide us as we peer into the mist of disruption, complexity, and chaos.  Good questions prompt us in the pursuit of what it means to build an enduring enterprise and what form future value might take.  But good questions require also require bravery and curiosity.  And oftentimes we just plain need someone to help us identify the better, more important, more courageous questions.  Kay’s a master at this. Also a dog lover, Kay says, “Dogs ask better questions than anyone else I know.”  Questions like “*Can we play now*?” or “*Is it dinnertime*?” or better yet “*What do I need to know about you right now*?”  All very good questions to ask at the end of Kay’s intense and intentional day’s work accompanying leaders in pursuit of powerful questions and insightful, clarifying answers. Additional Resources: - Kay’s organization - [Outsight Network ](https://outsightnetwork.com/services/outsight-perspective/) - [Outsight Perspective blog](https://outsightnetwork.com/blog/) - [Creative Acts for Curious People: How to Think, Create, and Lead in Unconventional Ways](https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Acts-Curious-People-Unconventional/dp/1984858165/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1WCR3P520IEWQ&keywords=creative+acts+for+curious+people&qid=1645646763&s=books&sprefix=%2Cstripbooks%2C90&sr=1-2) by Sarah Stein Greenberg - the book Kay’s reading and recommends ![Kristin Evenson](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kristin%20Evenson.jpeg?width=123&name=Kristin%20Evenson.jpeg) ![Kristin - Signature Final](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kristin%20-%20Signature%20Final.png?width=85&name=Kristin%20-%20Signature%20Final.png) [- Kristin Evenson](https://www.junctures.net/)   With each episode of the [Third Turn Podcast](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/the-third-turn-podcast) we host a conversation among leaders who want the world to flourish for generations beyond their lifetimes. Listening with others in some way and enjoying in-depth conversations of your own as you reflect and choose what you would do the same or differently is a plus! We always welcome you sharing these podcasts with others as well as sending along any suggestions for making these podcasts better. The [Third Turn Podcast](http://www.thirdturnpodcast.com/) is part of the [Maestro-level leaders](http://www.maestrolevelleaders.com/) initiative, a production of [Design Group International](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/). [Strategically Connected](https://www.strategically-connected.com/)'s Jennifer Miller is the producer.   Discover more about The Third Turn Podcast:* ![Third Turn Podcast QR Code](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Third%20Turn%20Podcast%20QR%20Code.png?width=117&name=Third%20Turn%20Podcast%20QR%20Code.png) * ###### Tags: [Maestro-level Leaders, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/topic/maestro-level-leaders) [The Third Turn, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/topic/the-third-turn) [Future Value, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/topic/future-value) [innovation, ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/topic/innovation) [Strategy](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/topic/strategy) ![Kristin Evenson](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hubfs/Kristin%20Evenson.jpeg) Post by [Kristin Evenson](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/mark-l-vincent-blog/author/kristin-evenson) March 15, 2022 Kristin serves as a Consultant and Coach to leaders, teams, and boards by helping them leverage their unique brand of significance in context of: - Strategic junctures--Helping leaders and teams identify what can’t change and what must; - Leadership & life challenges—Helping leaders support, sustain and strengthen their soul in leadership; - Career change & transition—Helping them think creatively and courageously about what’s next. Kristin spent 20 years with Fallon Worldwide, leading brand and communications strategy development for clients across a variety of industries—including Nordstrom, Holiday Inn Express, and Children’s Defense Fund. Her career journey since has included stints as marketing/strategy director and consultant to companies, nonprofits and ministries in the areas of strategy, culture, communications and board governance. Her teams’ work won multiple national effectiveness awards, and her consulting work resulted in a “Best Practice in People/Workplace” by Upsize Magazine. Having completed NeuroLeadership Institute’s Brain-Based Coaching Program, Kristin incorporates brain-based principles into change initiatives for organizations, teams, and individuals. She and her husband Jeff Rosell have four awesome adult sons and host an international daughter, originally from South Sudan. [Follow me on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinevenson/) ### Comments ![DGI Logo - Icon w_ Core Competencies](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/_DGI%20Logo%20(New)/DGI%20Logo%20-%20Icon%20w_%20Core%20Competencies.png?width=300&height=300&name=DGI%20Logo%20-%20Icon%20w_%20Core%20Competencies.png) ### Want to Learn More About Design Group International? [![Design Group International](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/hs-fs/hubfs/_DGI%20Logo%20(New)/DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape%20w_%20Tagline_White.png?width=325&height=153&name=DGI%20Logo%20-%20Landscape%20w_%20Tagline_White.png) ](https://www.designgroupinternational.com/) - ABOUT US - MEET US - BE A CONSULTANT - [BE CREDENTIALED](https://linktr.ee/MaestroSuiteAdvisors) - RESOURCES © 2022 Design Group International. All rights reserved. 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