The Answer to Strong Leadership? Better Questions

I Thought I Knew How to Brainstorm. Then I Tried This…

Last week, I joined a session on Q-Storming, not knowing what to expect. As a former marketing executive, I’ve spent years in brainstorming sessions—throwing out ideas, bouncing thoughts off the wall, and hoping to land on the next big idea.

But what I realized is that brainstorming often starts in the wrong place. Instead of jumping straight to ideas, what if we focused on improving the questions we ask first?

I had already been using elements of Q-Storming in my coaching, but this session showed me just how much more effective and intentional I could be with it. And now, I see endless ways leaders can apply it to shift focus, uncover blind spots, and refocus on their why—their deeper purpose behind what they do.

How Q-Storming Works (And Why It’s So Powerful)

The process was simple—but incredibly eye-opening.

• Someone shared an issue or challenge they were facing.

• Instead of offering solutions, the group took turns asking questions—without expecting answers.

• As each question was asked, it sparked new, deeper questions in others—often revealing completely different angles the person hadn’t considered before.

• The person being questioned just listened and reflected. No justifications, no immediate responses—just space to explore new ways of thinking.

What struck me most was how one powerful question could shift an entire conversation. Sometimes, the right question is more valuable than the best answer.

What Happens When You Ask a Better Question?

Most teams are great at solving problems, but the real power comes from how they define the problem in the first place.

A leader recently shared that their team was struggling with communication. Their first instinct? A brainstorming session to fix their meeting structure and find more efficient tools. But when we took a Q-Storming approach instead, the real issue became clear—not meeting frequency, but a lack of trust that made open communication difficult in the first place.

By shifting focus to better questions, they saw a blind spot they didn’t even know existed—and that completely changed how they tackled the challenge.

How to Run a Q-Storming Session in 3 Simple Steps

Q-Storming doesn’t require a major shift in how you work—just a shift in how you approach problem-solving. Here’s how to try it:

Step 1: Start with a broad challenge.

• Instead of saying "We need to fix employee retention," start with "What factors influence why people stay or leave?"

Step 2: Generate 10-15 questions—not answers.

• Encourage curiosity, not judgment. Ask questions like:

• What are we assuming about this problem that might not be true?

• What’s worked in the past, and why?

• What unintended consequences might come from a quick fix?

Step 3: Identify the game-changing question.

• Not all questions are equal. Look for the one that challenges conventional thinking or shifts the conversation entirely. That’s where the real opportunity lies.

Better Questions Lead to Better Leadership

The best leaders don’t just solve problems—they improve the way their teams think. By asking smarter, more strategic questions, you can uncover blind spots, avoid knee-jerk reactions, and open the door to opportunities you didn’t even realize existed.

Try it this week. Next time you’re faced with a challenge, before jumping to a solution, pause and ask yourself: What’s the better question here?

Let me know how it goes.