Leadership is not just about making decisions and giving orders. One of the most effective techniques for increasing employee engagement and motivation is to ask open-ended questions and listen carefully – a concept known as respectful inquiry.
Why open-ended questions make a difference
Open-ended questions address three key needs of employees that are crucial to their satisfaction and motivation in the workplace according to Self-Determination Theory (SDT):
- Relationship: They strengthen the connection between manager and employee by signaling that their opinions and thoughts are valued.
- Competence: Employees feel valued and empowered when they can contribute their knowledge and skills through open-ended questions.
- Autonomy: Open-ended questions leave room for independent decision-making by allowing employees to formulate their own answers and set their own priorities.
How do you ask the right questions?
It’s not just about asking questions, but choosing the right ones. Open-ended questions that can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” encourage employees to think and promote creative solutions. Instead of asking:
“Is everything going according to plan?“ you are more likely to ask a question like:
”What can we do to better master the current challenges in the project?“
By asking such questions, you signal that you value the perspectives and knowledge of your employees. This in turn motivates your team and creates space for solutions that are developed together.
Why listening is just as important as asking
Asking the right questions is only half the battle. It is just as important to really listen after asking the question. If, for example, you look directly at your smartphone after an answer or are already halfway out the door, you are telling the person that you don’t really care about the answer.
Listening properly means paying full attention to the person you are talking to, actively listening and reflecting on the answers. This strengthens trust and shows that you take what is being said seriously.
Where and when does Respectful Inquiry have the greatest effect?
Respectful Inquiry can be used in many leadership situations – whether in meetings, informal conversations, or formal feedback sessions. Especially in stressful phases or under time pressure, managers tend to give quick instructions instead of asking questions. However, it is precisely in these moments that asking open-ended questions is particularly effective, as it increases the motivation of your employees and strengthens their sense of personal responsibility.
A common mistake: Many managers only ask these questions of employees who are already motivated. However, Respectful Inquiry is particularly effective with those who are less committed. This technique also allows you to activate less motivated employees and give them the space to get more involved.
Scientifically proven: The study by Van Quaquebeke and Felps
In a landmark study, Niels van Quaquebeke and Will Felps examined the effect of Respectful Inquiry. They show that managers who regularly ask open-ended questions and listen carefully to their employees not only foster their engagement but also increase their intrinsic motivation. This has a positive effect on the overall team dynamics and leads to better long-term results.
Conclusion: Listening and asking questions as a leadership tool
Open questions and active listening are more than just communication tools. They create a culture of respect, trust and cooperation. Managers who use respectful inquiry in a targeted way promote the engagement and personal responsibility of their employees – and thus also the performance of the entire team.
Would you like to learn more?
In our leadership training, we place a high value on experience and science. Three building blocks form a harmonious whole:
- We promote the exchange of experiences among managers.
- We contribute our many years of experience in working with managers from a range of industries.
- We integrate the latest psychological research.
This triad creates added value that enables managers to develop sustainable, effective solutions for their teams.
Contact us now to find out how we can work together to strengthen leadership and team culture in your company.
