Does this make sense?

While this closed question may seem natural, it’s not as effective as it appears. It biases others to respond with ‘yes’ rather than ‘no’. It perpetuates the power distance between the leader and team members. After all, saying ‘no’ could feel like slapping your Manager in the face. To avoid confrontation, a team member might say ‘yes’ even if nothing makes sense to them.

✅ “What’s your take?“

This open-ended question is very different. It encourages collaboration, sparking curiosity, interest, and a sense of partnership. Ideally, it narrows the power distance by taking thoughts, concerns, and ideas seriously. When team members know their opinions and insights are valued, they’re more likely to be engaged, motivated, and committed.

The way we phrase our questions makes a world of difference!