Leadership training means asking questions

Leading a team or firm usually means that people expect you to have all the answers. You provide direction for the the entire business.

But a professor from the Harvard School of Business Management has suggested that leaders need to focus less on having answers and more on asking questions.

Rob Kaplan has released a book highlighting the need for managers and leaders to pay attention to the future course of an organisation before they start issuing directions.

Kaplan told the prestigious business school that in order to lead effectively, managers need to first "master the use of inquiry and reflection".

"Show me a company, nonprofit, or a government leader that is struggling, and almost invariably you'll see someone who isn't sufficiently focused on asking the right questions," Kaplan said.

The proper level of leadership training can help a business manager get to grips with this concept, as Kaplan goes on to say that executives should consider analysing just how they spend their time at work.

Once a manager understands where the business’ focus should be as opposed to where it has been, it is time for them to start communicating the change effectively to their employees through targeted leadership development programs.