Bloghound

Peter Drucker sure had a way with questions. Today during an online tribute to Drucker, 600 of us Drucker-philes—including speakers Tom Peters, Marshall Goldsmith, Frances Hesslebein, and David Maister —
were reminded of the simple brilliance of questions like “What needs to
be done?” “Why are we here?” “How can we do things better?” And of
course Drucker’s Five Most Important Questions:

1. What is the mission?
2. Who is the customer?
3. What does the customer value?
4. What are our results?
5. What is our plan?

“The leader of the past knew how to tell. The leader of the future will
know how to ask,” Drucker said.(Marketers, take special note. We can do
better than asking, “What’s the ROI on that program?” )

The
very best advice is often common sense. But sometimes we need a push, a
reminder. Those who ask the best questions — and who listen most
intently — win.

The
best questions take us off the beaten trail, they are bank shots to
uncovering unexpected beliefs, desires and ideas. They are bold,
heartfelt questions. That’s Step 1.

Step 2 is being brave enough to not dumb down or bury the bold, heartfelt answers…

PS
— Another favorite Drucker quote: “I don’t predict. I just look out
the window and see what’s visible but not yet seen.” Asking the right
questions can be a real eye opener.

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