Dear Reader,

As you may know, I have a thing for questions. My favourite workshop activity is the "question-brainstorm" and I spend a good amount of time with (leadership) teams, poking them on asking better questions.

What I noticed is that the questions we ask reveal much about the type of leadership we embody.

In short: Effective leaders ask questions. But not all questions are created equal.

As a matter of fact, the nature of our questions can drastically shape our interactions and influence. Consider the impact of closed or directive questions like, “Have you thought of…?”

It might seem innocent, but it's not a question! It's advice disguised as a question - a wolf in sheep skin, which can quickly be perceived as arrogant.

On the other hand, when our questions are supportive rather than directive, they can convey either insecurity or compassion, depending on whether they are open or closed:

How can I help you achieve your goals?

Do you need help with this task?

When we ask open-ended questions with a supportive intent, we tend to foster a more compassionate and understanding environment. These questions encourage dialogue and show that we care about the other person’s perspective and well-being.

In contrast, closed-ended supportive questions can convey insecurity, either in the leader’s confidence in their team or in their ability to provide support without explicit confirmation. These questions often seek quick reassurance rather than promoting a deeper understanding or connection.

And even within the directive spectrum, our approach can make a significant difference. Directive questions can either come across as dismissive or demonstrate curiosity. Compare these two examples:

Why did you miss the deadline?

What happened that made you miss the deadline?

One can sound dismissive, while the other shows a desire to understand.

To illustrate these dynamics, I created a matrix that categorises leadership styles based on the types of questions asked. Here’s a snapshot of the matrix:

Understanding these nuances may help us to be more intentional in the way we ask questions and also in our leadership approach. Are you inadvertently coming across as overconfident or dismissive? Or are you fostering an environment of curiosity and support?

The 2x2 above is my initial attempt to frame these ideas, and I’m curious if this resonates with you or if you have suggestions for other ways we could categorise leadership styles based on the questions leaders ask. Your insights could be invaluable in refining this concept!

​

🎙 Meanwhile, on the podcast…

Over the years, I’ve had many magnificent facilitators in the podcast chair who identify as trainers, and many talented trainers who identify as facilitators. Where does the line blur? Is there a line? Dare I ask, should there be?

We settle it once and for all in this special LinkedIn Live conversation with my NDB Course Faculty - Cate Czerwinski, Flor Versteeg and Shamir Joseph! We discuss why Facilitation and Training exist on a spectrum with fluctuating frequencies of knowledge sharing, leadership, emergence and ownership - ultimately both trying to achieve change from differing angles.

Join us for a purist vs freethinker exploration, as we navigate assumptions, challenge definitions, and colour in the Facilitator-Trainer spectrum.

Find out about:

• The key differences between the role of the Facilitation and Training
• Why it’s important to consider linguistic distinctions and nuances when defining terms such as Facilitator and Trainer
• Why facilitators leverage the knowledge in the room, and trainers bridge gaps of knowledge in the room
• The role of emergence in training and how to design workshops that make space for it
• Client expectations: why it’s vital to educate clients on the difference between the two roles
• Where leadership exists in the spectrum of training and facilitation

🔖 Click here to download my 1-page summary of the show.​

🎧 Click here to listen to the interview​

Or watch it on Youtube

​

​

Live Learning Opportunities

Leadership through Facilitation

If you want to learn more from the guests on this week's podcast episode, join the last cohort of the Leadership through Facilitation course! It's a live, online course that runs over 7 weeks. Each module is delivered by two of us master facilitators - each of us bringing in our unique experience and expertise so that you can find inspiration to grow your unique way of leveraging your facilitation skills for effective leadership.

​Click here to find out more.

​

Your Facilitation Signature Bootcamp

Have you noticed how each facilitator brings their own style, energy, and spin to the workshop space? Interestingly, we often aren’t even aware of our distinctive approach!

Do you know what your facilitation signature is? What makes you stand out from the crowd? How would others describe you as a facilitator to their peers and potential clients?

If you’re confident in your craft but struggle to find the words to present and promote yourself, join Thomas Lahnthaler and me for our Facilitation Signature Bootcamp from September 13-15th in Amsterdam.

Discover your unique facilitation style and learn how to articulate it effectively. We look forward to seeing you there!

​Click here to find out more.

​

That's it for this week. I am looking forward to hearing your reflections on the 2x2 matrix and hope to see you in our very last cohort of the leadership through facilitation course.

Myriam

​