45 Questions Every Leader Should Answer

things every leader should know, questions every leader should ask themselves, questions to ask leaders, questions about leadership, leadership scenario questions, direction setting for leaders, leadership self-reflection exercise, Frank Sonnenberg

One of the best ways to become a better leader is to view your organization in a new light. Here are 45 questions every leader should answer.

What three things are holding us back?
Is success making us complacent?
What policies are outdated?
Would I do business with us if I were a customer?
What counts that we’re not counting?
What can we learn from vibrant start-up companies?
Are we winning the word-of-mouth battle?
Why are great ideas collecting dust on our shelves?
Why are we really losing great people?
Do we read the reports that we request?
Do people follow us out of fear or out of respect?
What actions, today, will have the greatest impact in ten years?
Do we walk our talk?
What barriers should we remove for our people?
Do we spend more time building up or tearing down?
Are we doing our best?
Are our performance rewards consistent with our goals?
How are we advancing the values of our organization?
Are we all focused on our top three priorities?
Are we gaining trust, loyalty, and commitment?
What’s the optimum way to deploy our resources?
Are we proud of the way that we conduct business?
Are we getting the real scoop or being placated?
Do we learn from our mistakes?
Are our customers likely to refer us to others?
Do we make a positive difference in people’s lives?
How are we underestimating the competition?
Do we spend more time lighting fires or putting them out?
Are we all on the same page?
Do we bring out the best in our people?
Is apathy their fault or our failing?
What would we do differently if we started over today?
Do we always discipline unethical behavior?
How can we turn obedience into passion?
Do we tolerate mediocre performance?
Do we value relationships or take them for granted?
What are the three biggest threats to our survival?
Do we study problems or tackle them?
What should we stop doing?
Are we leading or just managing?
Do we offer our people more than a paycheck?
Are we challenging the status quo?
How much time do we spend thinking versus doing?
How much do we say, “We should have” when we truly could have?
Is there a better way?

What Other Questions Should Every Leader Answer?

Additional Reading:
5 Qualities of Great Leaders
Counterfeit Leadership
Leadership Scorecard
50 Insane Mistakes Companies Make
What Works Better — Obedience or Commitment?
When Rules Outweigh Common Sense

If you like this article, subscribe to our blog so that you don’t miss a single post. Get future posts by RSS feed, email or Facebook. It’s FREE.

About Frank Sonnenberg

Frank Sonnenberg is an award-winning author and a well-known advocate for moral character, personal values, and personal responsibility. He has written 11 books and has been named one of “America’s Top 100 Thought Leaders” and one of “America’s Most Influential Small Business Experts.” Frank has served on several boards and has consulted to some of the largest and most respected companies in the world. Frank’s newest book, BECOME: Unleash the Power of Moral Character and Be Proud of the Life You Choose, was released June 2024.

Additionally, his blog — FrankSonnenbergOnline— has attracted millions of readers on the Internet. It was recently named one of the “Best Self-Improvement and Personal Development Blogs” in the world and continues to be listed among the “Best Inspirational Blogs on the Planet.”

Comments

Yatin Khulbe says

June 8, 2015 at 2:17 pm

These are really important points for every leader. Leadership requires a lot of self and team effort. It’s not a single man game. Leaders value everyone’s opinion. They do not analyze things in terms of inferior or inferior.
They always realize the power of sharing. They keep aside all the egoistic attitudes and welcome thoughts from everyone. Every business motive is to make a profit. But, great leaders think about their employees also. They always aim for a better environment for all the staff.
They build a team of loyal people who have faith in their leader. Thanks Frank for sharing these lovely questions.

Reply
- Frank Sonnenberg says
  
  June 9, 2015 at 12:58 pm
  
  Thanks Yatin. I agree with your thoughts.
  
  I believe that true leaders don’t pull rank or control employees to attain results. Instead, they’re effective because they’re knowledgeable, admired, trusted, and respected. This helps them secure buy-in, without onerous rules or strong oversight designed to force compliance.
  
  Best,
  
  Frank
jeffrey shepherd says

July 29, 2015 at 10:37 am

Thank you for revealing that message to help others to improve their lives and thanks again for being a friend who cares. I understand now that you must have a team to help build links for knowledge. Thank you so much.

Reply
- Frank Sonnenberg says
  
  July 30, 2015 at 1:19 pm
  
  Hi Jeffrey
  
  Thanks for your kind words and for taking the time to write. We try to cover issues that our readers face every day. I’m glad this post struck a chord with you.
  
  Have an awesome day!
  
  Best,
  
  Frank
Marcia Daszko says

October 7, 2018 at 7:30 am

Great questions! Leaders struggle with many problems, sometimes for years. These questions will help them think different, look at root causes, and seek new knowledge. If they begin with their Compelling Purpose (and it’s Not to make money!) and build trust and care for their staff, it’s one step toward progress.
Marcia
Author: PIVOT DISRUPT TRANSFORM

Reply
- Frank Sonnenberg says
  
  October 7, 2018 at 10:09 am
  
  I agree Marcia.
  
  As in football, if you focus on the fundamentals—blocking and tackling—you don’t have to worry about the score. The bottom line …If you do the right things the business will follow.
  
  Thanks for taking the time to write.
  
  Best,
  
  Frank