When meeting with an older man or woman, particularly a leader in the business world, we have a golden opportunity to ask thoughtful questions. This is especially important for pastors, since our seminary training doesn’t usually provide a whole lot in the area of leadership (I’m not begrudging seminary; it’s just a reality). Over the years I have accumulated questions for leaders, which I keep in my iPad, in order to ask the most pertinent ones over a lunch or coffee. Here they are:
What are the most important decisions you make as a leader?
How do you encourage creative thinking among your staff members?
Which core values are most important to your vision?
Do you set aside specific times to cast vision to your employees and other leaders?
How do you communicate your “core values”?
What is one mistake you witness leaders making more frequently than others?
What is the one behavior or trait that you have seen derail more leaders?
Where do the great ideas come from your company?
What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?
What is the biggest challenge facing leaders today?
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
