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Asking good questions is a leader’s superpower

By Charles Mason
Categories: Facilitation, Fundamentals, Implementation, Leadership, School leadership, System leadership, Teacher leadership
February 2022
It’s pretty amazing that one of the most powerful tools you have as a leader is something you’ve been doing since you first started talking. By now, you’re probably good at it, it doesn’t cost a thing, and you can start using it more effectively by the time you finish reading this article: asking questions. Asking questions is essential for building empathy, understanding, and trust — all of which are necessary for group success but are sorely lacking in today’s divided political climate. In a time of immense stress among and unusual hostility toward educators, listening and learning are among leaders’ most important responsibilities. And asking good questions is a leader’s superpower. ''Asking questions is essential for building empathy, understanding, and trust — all of

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References

Kouzes, J.M. & Posner, B. Z. (2006). The leadership challenge (Vol. 3). John Wiley & Sons.


Charles Mason
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Charles Mason (cmason.557@gmail.com) is retired superintendent of Mountain Brook City Schools in Alabama and a former president of the board of trustees at NSDC (now Learning Forward).


Categories: Facilitation, Fundamentals, Implementation, Leadership, School leadership, System leadership, Teacher leadership

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