INFLUENTIAL LEADERSHIP IN THE AGE OF QUESTIONS

Abstract

The award‐winning journalist Sesno provides detailed guidance on what constitutes a good leadership‐related question and how to formulate it. Brief case studies are presented around the examples of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ben & Jerry's, and others. Sesno describes different types of inquiries and when they are most appropriate and effective, such as mission questions. He posits that a Ben & Jerry's mission question would be What values do we bring to the enterprise? Sesno concludes that “engaged questioning, driven by focused listening, can define mission, mobilize support, connect ideas and people, and break down barriers.”