Putting queggestions away

Mark L. Vincent
by Mark L. Vincent
March 10, 2022

The word queggestion is made up, combining the words question and suggestion. The result is a suggestion in the form of a question. Here is an example.

"Why don't you try getting up earlier?"  The person who poses this question isn't really asking.

In addition to "why don't you, " here are other queggestion starters we can easily recognize once we know where to look.

"What if you…"

"Don't you think that…"

"Haven't you…."  ("Why haven't you" is similar but with more judgment built-in)

"Have you tried…."

"Don't you want to…."

"Isn't it possible to…." 

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Perhaps you will think of others. In each case, the person queggestioning may well mean to be helpful, but they short-circuit the learning process of the person they ask. That person must stop their creative problem-solving to consider the suggestion hidden in the question.

A sincere and open-ended inquiry that sparks joint consideration is an essential skill for leaders to build, especially if they seek to develop other leaders who will be evaluated for their critical thinking skills. If we try to lead by queggestions, we delay their development and ownership for any resulting wins or losses.

So…..

Rather than ask:

We do better by asking:
  1. Can't you hire another employee to cover this?
  1. When and how do you make decisions to add staff? (Follow up: Is your approach doing everything you need it to do?)
  1. Why haven't you already made the investment?
  1. You said you were going to invest.  Is there anything holding you back at this point?
  1. Don't you want to take advantage of the benefits?
  1. Which benefits appeal to you the most and are you most likely to use?
  1. What if you sat down with them to work through the conflict?
  1. What have you already tried to do in addressing the conflict?
  1. When are you going to put together a strategy session?
  1. Some folks put together strategy sessions around matters like these. What is your experience with them?
  1. Couldn't you adjust the budget to accommodate this?
  1. What are your financial implications?
  1. Aren't you going to talk with your coworkers about this and get their advice?
  1. Who is best equipped to advise you here?
  1. Is it possible to get some training for this?
  1. What would you like to do about this?
  1. Have you looked at XYZ software? They likely have everything that you need.
  1. You seem to think this is a tech issue. Do you have a next step you want to take?
  1. Can I show you my preferred solution?
  1. How would you like to go about solving this?

-mark l vincent

Learn more at www.maestrolevelleaders.com

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Tags:
process consulting, Process consultation and design, Mark L. Vincent, Design Group International, executive develpment, leadership development methods, leadership communication, Maestro-level Leaders, The Third Turn Podcast, Kristin Evenson, Queggestion
Mark L. Vincent
Post by Mark L. Vincent
March 10, 2022
I walk alongside leaders, listening to understand their challenges, and helping them lead healthy organizations that flourish.
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