Treat every piece of advice as a gift or a compliment and simply say, “Thank you.
Marshall GoldsmithRead
Active questions are the alternative to passive questions. There is a huge difference between, 'Do you have clear goals?' and 'Did you do your best to set clear goals for yourself?' The former is trying to determine the employee's state of mind; the latter challenges the employee to describe or defend a course of action.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Active questions promote accountability and reflection, while passive questions merely seek information.
This quote by Marshall Goldsmith emphasizes the importance of the types of questions we ask, particularly in a leadership context. Active questions are designed to engage individuals in a deeper level of thought, encouraging them to reflect on their choices and actions rather than just providing a status update. This distinction fosters a more proactive and accountable mindset in employees, leading to personal growth and improved performance.
Themes
QuestionsLeadershipAccountabilityGoalsReflection
In practice
Example use cases
In a team meeting, a manager might say, 'Let's reflect on our objectives; did we do our best to set clear goals for this quarter?'
More from Marshall Goldsmith
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A leader who is self-aware enough to know that he or she is not adept at everything is one who has taken the first step toward being a great leader.
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One of the most important actions, things a leader can do, is to lead by example. If you want everyone else to be passionate, committed, dedicated, and motivated, you go first!
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