20 Questions to Ask Other Leaders

Summary

In this insightful video, Michael Hyatt, a New York Times best-selling author, discusses a unique leadership growth strategy: learning from other leaders through targeted questioning. Hyatt emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset and shares a list of 20 thought-provoking questions, originally from a friend's interview preparation, designed to uncover valuable insights on leadership, decision-making, innovation, and culture-building. He encourages viewers to use these questions for self-reflection and to seek wisdom from respected leaders to accelerate their own development.

Takeaways

• 📚 Reading books, listening to podcasts, and attending conferences are traditional methods for personal and leadership growth, but there's more to consider.
• 🌱 Having a growth mindset, as defined by Carol Dweck, is crucial for leaders who believe in their ability to improve through effort and strategy.
• 🤔 Asking questions of other leaders is a powerful yet often overlooked method for leadership development.
• 🗣️ The story of Michael Smith illustrates the value of preparing thoughtful questions for interviews with leaders, which can lead to significant insights.
• 📝 The transcript provides a list of 20 questions that can be used to interview leaders and gain valuable perspectives on leadership.
• 🛠️ The questions cover a range of topics including mentorship, decision-making, innovation, communication of core values, and alignment with organizational vision.
• 💡 The importance of understanding where great ideas come from within an organization and fostering creativity across departments is highlighted.
• 🔑 The transcript emphasizes the significance of core values and how they should be communicated and lived by all members of an organization.
• 🚀 The role of a leader in casting vision and ensuring that the organization's activities align with its core values is crucial for success.
• 🤝 Culture is described as the unseen force driving operating results, and effective communication of this culture to new employees is vital.
• 📈 Leaders are encouraged to reflect on their growth strategies and to be intentional about their development to avoid stagnation.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Michael Hyatt's company?

Michael Hyatt and Company focuses on helping successful but overwhelmed high achievers to get the focus they need to win at work and succeed at life.

What does Michael Hyatt suggest is missing from common leadership growth strategies?

According to Michael Hyatt, common leadership growth strategies often miss the input from others, which is a key component of a growth mindset as described by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck.

What was the unique approach Michael Smith took when interviewing Michael Hyatt?

Michael Smith prepared a list of thoughtful questions before the interview with Michael Hyatt, which was a level of preparation that impressed Hyatt and demonstrated an effective growth strategy.

What is the first question Michael Hyatt suggests asking other leaders?

The first question Hyatt suggests is asking leaders to name a person who has had a tremendous impact on them as a leader and how that person influenced their life.

What is the importance of focusing on important decisions as a leader?

Focusing on important decisions is crucial for leaders to avoid micromanagement and to add the most value and leverage to their organization.

How can leaders prevent the 'institution' from dampening inspiration in their organization?

Leaders can prevent this by actively fostering an environment that encourages creativity and innovation, ensuring that the organization's growth does not stifle inspiration.

Why is it important for leaders to encourage creative thinking within their organization?

Encouraging creative thinking is vital as innovation and creativity are the lifeblood of any organization, driving new ideas and growth.

What does Michael Hyatt suggest about the source of great ideas in an organization?

Hyatt suggests that it's fascinating to ask where great ideas come from in an organization, whether they are centralized or fostered across the entire organization.

How should leaders communicate core values within their organization?

Leaders should actively communicate core values, ensuring they are not just displayed but are integrated into the organization's culture and daily operations.

What does Michael Hyatt recommend for leaders to do to ensure their continued growth?

Hyatt recommends that leaders should be intentional about their growth and development strategy, continuously seeking to learn and improve.

How can leaders learn from the mistakes of others?

Leaders can learn from the mistakes of others by asking insightful questions about common pitfalls and behaviors that have derailed the careers of other leaders.