5 Ways to Become a Better Learner Leader Using Question Thinking
Book Giveaway!!
20 copies available!!
Leave a comment on this guest post by Marilee Adams Ph.D. to become eligible for one of 20 complimentary copies of her new book, Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: 12 Powerful Tools for Leadership, Coaching and Results, 4th edition.
Special bonus: This is a two-book giveaway. Winners will also receive a workbook.
Deadline for eligibility is 08/29/2022. International winners will receive electronic version.
Leaders who are successful at creating positive communications, collaborations, cultures, and results for their teams and organizations demonstrate the traits of what I call “Learner Leadership.”
5 Tips for Becoming a Better Learner Leader:
#1. Operate from a Learner (learning) rather than a Judger (judgmental) mindset.
The Learner mindset is open-minded, accepting, and win-win.
The Judger mindset is close-minded, critical, and win-lose.
We all have both mindsets and both are normal. The Choice Map illustrates our mindsets and how we choose them moment by moment. To download your personal copy of the Choice Map, click here and watch the short explainer video to learn more.
#2. Ask yourself and others Learner questions.
Learner questions are genuinely curious and open-minded.
From the Learner mindset, leaders ask expansive questions such as, “What works?” What are others thinking, feeling, and wanting?” “What can we learn from this mistake?” and “What’s possible?”
#3. Avoid, as much as possible, asking yourself and others Judger questions.
From the Judger mindset, leaders ask constricting, critical, and negative questions such as, “Whose fault is it?” What’s wrong with those people?” and “How can I avoid looking like I don’t know the right answers?”
#4. Listen with “Learner ears” rather than “Judger ears.”
This means that leaders listen with Learner questions such as, “What valuable perspective could John share?” “What’s working about X?” and “How can I best support Jane’s success?”
It also means avoiding listening with Judger questions such as, “What dumb thing will John say this time?” “Why does Jane always get it wrong?” and “How can I avoid looking bad?”
#5. Create Learner teams and meetings
Learner teams and meetings are collaborative, strategic, and productive. Everyone’s voices and questions count and team members work together to stay on the Learner path.
What questions will you ask to shift your mindset from a Judger to a Learner?
Marilee Adams Ph.D., is an award-winning author and pioneer in the fields of inquiry-based coaching, leadership, and organizational culture. She is CEO/Founder of the Inquiry Institute, a solutions and performance-focused company providing consulting, coaching, training, keynotes and eLearning. Her newest book is Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: 12 Powerful Tools for Leadership, Coaching and Results, 4th edition (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2022), along with a new workbook Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: Mastering Your Mindset Using Question Thinking (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2022).
Thank you. I would like to receive a copy of this book please.🙂
Hi! I would like a copy of the book please.
Great reminders. Especially love “learner ears” as I tend to forget about doing that and instead assume I should have all the answers.
Hi! I would like to receive a copy of the book please.
It is very easy to be in judging mode and takes a shift in ones approach to listed with the intent to learn. Great article!
Simple but profound! I’d love to read the book!
I’m in to learn!
Learning Leader and question thinking is challenging because questioning requires listening. We leaders need to ask more questions and not spend time thinking of the best answers. We acknowledge the personal power of others by allowing them to achieve and to reach goals by developing their own ideas. I spend my professional life reading and sharing with other leaders. Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about inquiry mindset.
Count me in
We are in the process of changing our culture from one that was judgmental to one that is collaborative, – improving communication and appreciology. I would love a copy of the book, please, as it sounds as though it fits right in with our philosophy.
Great points. We have gotten too far away from looking for win/win situations as we all jockey for position within organizations instead of trying to lift the organization as a whole. Would love a copy of your book as well. Thank you for sharing.
This is a helpful post. Essential to a learner/growth mindset are humility and curiosity. From those values, great questions more easily arise.
Judging has a tendency to result in jumping to conclusions….making it difficult to see situations clearly — and increasing the risk of making bad decisions. A patient focus on learning provides the opportunity to build informed context for making sounder choices.
This would be an excellent book to add to my exploration of being a reflective practitioner and leadership implications!
The more I learn, the more importance questions have in building my leadership style in a positive way. The image of leaders as powerful all-knowing stater of the last word are so misleading to those trying to hone their craft.
As normal, great thoughts! I also try very hard not to add “right?” on the end of questions also. That can force someone to disagree with what is presented as correct. Thanks Dan.
Judging does not open one up to learning. By having a Learner mindset, you have an open mind and can look at all aspects of a problem or a situation. I will definitely take and use this to improve my leadership.
Thanks for this post. I have been trying more and more to think with questions instead of answers and these tips are helpful!
I enjoyed this posting. I like the reflection that comes with asking questions from a learner’s mindset.
As a reflective leader, I utilise questioning frequently in my leadership and really resonate with this article. Thank you for sharing.
I have been training my mindset for a long time to be a different listener (not better), different. Thank you for this post
I am at the recognition phase knowing that I have asked a judgy, closed ended or leading question. Now would like to take next step to stop asking them.
Judger comes so easy to me but thanks to this article I am striving to be a learner leader.
Great post. Learners must be listeners and thinkers.
This aligns so well with my thinking and I would love to learn more!
Judger comes so easy for me but thanks to this article I am striving to be a learner. Thanks for helping me be better.
Dan, this content seems right up your alley! Great connection with your leadership philosophy and style!
This perspective is consistent with other training I’ve done – Cognitive Coaching, for example. A question I ask myself is, “What assumptions underlie John’s perspective?”
I have a tendency to be very self critical. I’m happiest when I remember to think of myself as a learner and allow myself some grace. Thinking of myself as a “rough draft” rather than a failed final copy keeps me going on a positive path to self-improvement!
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
-Maya Angelou
I love the concept of the choice map. We have to be intentional to be a listening learner.
We have 2 ears and one mouth for a reason. Listening to your team demonstrates you value them.
The questions we ask & don’t ask reveal a lot about us. I am reminded of this phrase from Dan’s earlier posts.
It it is human sometimes to be judgmental, I agree effective questions and good listening skills are the best practice.
It’s easy for us to sit in the judger mindset rather than a focus on the learner especially during challenging times.
I love the concept of listening with learner vs judger ‘ears’.
This is so hard to remember as a leader, especially when you are bombarded on all sides. Definitely need the daily (or even hourly) reminder to choose listening.
WOW! This is absolute “GAME-CHANGER” Stuff. THANKS for posting this info and for providing the gift(s)!
I plead guilty for all the times I have acted as a Judger when I should have been a learner! This book promises to be a good read, and invaluable for anyone working to be a more effective leader.
Yes! Leading by asking the “what” questions! So good!
If only we had more learners than judgers in all levels of our organizations.
I think this is a great mind-set to shift towards and I know I can fall into the judger mindset, especially under tight deadlines or higher stress points. I do make it a point to ask my team for solutions and in our one on one’s I’m constantly asking myself, “What can I do to best support this ambition of theirs?” Being curious and coming across as genuinely curious about someone else’s perspective or way of doing things leads to more collaboration, a higher sense of self-satisfaction, feelings of good will towards colleagues and an overall learning/accepting culture. Thank you as always for this outline and I am currently waiting for my survey results from the Choice Map exercise.
Great post. As and educator leader all of this is aligned with student oriented learning. Maybe thinking of it as team oriented leading.
Judger vs Learner…..it’s a matter of do I want the “Power” or do I want to “Empower” others…? Definitely looks like a great book! Thanks Dan for “Empowering” us daily and introducing us to other leaders and books that do the same!
I would love a copy of the book to read and share with my managers to help them and us grow together – thank you
Too often people (both in business and their personal lives) close off and adopt the “judger mindset” without even realizing that they are the true victims.
Totally enjoy reading this post every morning. I would love to have the new book you are giving away! Thank you for the opportunity!
I appreciate the mindset reminder! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of the book.
Asking why we do some things and how they originated not only gives us a better understanding of a situation or task, but also can result in no longer doing them or modifying them.
I’m not sure if this qualifies, but one strategy I like to use when making decisions as a leader is to tell the stakeholders what I’m thinking and ask them to tell me all the reasons that it is a bad decision. This makes it ok for the naysayers to have their say and for those who are reluctant to give their ideas a safe place to add. Upon hearing the responses, I have a great idea about who might be upset by the decision and why.
A question I would ask would be, ” What ideas do you have to help find a solution? (or to help make the change?)
The best leaders know how to listen and are open to continuous learning. GREAT reminders.
Thank you!
I try to catch myself when I use any type of judgement. I didn’t have the language to turn my thoughts into a “learning mindset.” Now I will ask myself – Am I judging or am I learning. Thanks for the simple language to help turn my thought process around.
Great lesson for us all! No matter what field we are in. Always be willing to learn more and judge less. Thanks for sharing.
The power of using questions to get to the heart of an issue and find a real solution is a powerful tool that promotes inclusiveness and equity. I would very much like to read this book.
You don’t know what you don’t know. As the new leader to a team of experienced professionals, I ask open-ended questions to better understand processes and procedures.
Being an Instructional coach is such a rewarding position. I get to see great teaching everyday. I try to stay in a learning mindset, but after almost 40 years, it’s easy to fall into judging. I really could use some resources to help me with staying in the learning mindset.
I have always been a learner because there is always something to learn from everything we do. I am an instructor for my company and I am always learning new ways to teach as well as new ways to communicate.
Intriguing post, Dr Adams. I wonder if “creating positive communications, collaborations, cultures, and results for their teams and organizations” is a generational characteristic. Is it a relatively new phenomena, or does the opposite judging mindset span the ages?
I think its so easy to fall into the “judging” mindset, especially when there is a lot of negativity around. These are great reminders to keep your learning hat on at all times!
I’m about to take on a big new leadership task and would love a copy of this book.
We are in a time of rapid change and having the learner mindset will be key to our success, would love a copy of the book to assist on our journey.
Fantastic topic. The work that I do requires this type of thinking to help bring people together when there is conflict. Well worded thoughtful questions have become my passion. Would enjoy reading more on this! Motivational Interviewing concepts brought me to this way of thinking. There is always room for greater insight, reminders, and new perspectives!
This is a leadership state of mind. I firmly believe that communication is the key to everything; positive communication and truly listening is the pinnacle of leadership. People around you will respond to your “beingness.” I hold this vision: remember when you point a finger, there are three pointing back at you.
It is easy to fall into judging. Great reminders especially the learner ears. Would love a copy of the book
This is a great way to become a learner not a knower. I have always thought questions were way to intrusive but I’m learning that asking the right questions with the right mindset changers everything. Thank you LF for bringing these necessary changes
Yes please very interested
Can I be realistic for a moment? I know I am a “judger”… but I am also very interested in learning. This is interesting that, if I can refocus my mindset to think like a learner when leading, I may come off as a better leader! Thanks!
This is so very helpful as a leadership coach. Listening and questioning are the most important tools to use but easily forgotten when engaging in conversation. Would love a copy of the book!
Spot on – I’ve been pushing the mindset that mistakes are brilliant opportunities to grow!
I think that we have to shift depending on the situation. Personally, I’m working on being less judgmental (both of others and self). I like thinking about the possibilities of the shift.
Great points! This would be so helpful as my new role as a reading specialist in my school.
I like the idea of consciously choosing which mode to be in with learner as the default.
Great read! We have two ears and one mouth for a reason… be a better leader by listening. I’ve always followed the 80:20 rule when coaching- the coach only talks 20% of the time- the employee should be talking 80% of the time. Wrapping up coaching with “how can I help you?” and then make sure if there is something the employee asks of you- you follow through.
Great insight! It seems to me that one way to make approaching things from a “learner” mindset rather than a “judger” mindset is to assume best intent in others. I find this especially helpful when others have done something I find frustrating. It helps put me in a better emotional state to discuss it with them if I ask myself “what reasons might they have done this other than to drive me crazy?” 🙂 Thanks for another great post.
I could not agree more with this post. Asking questions in a ‘seek to understand’ manner is so important–even just one word shifts the conversation.
About to review my individual choice map! Thank you Leadership Freak for informing me of new resources and ways of influencing/motivating others.
This is something I really try to focus on. I would love to receive a copy of the book.
You need both a learner and a judger.
The Learner mindset is open-minded and curious.
The Judger mindset is analytical and decision focused. We make decisions everyday–some options win and some lose. What’s wrong with win-lose–that’s the reality of life.
Making the judger mindset appear to be negative and bad is misleading.
The learner mentality would also move away from judger questions by remembering the mantra about “seeking knowledge first” prior to getting to a presumptive solution or blame. Not everything needs a solution immediately. seek the information first, asking open ended, seeking questions. Them move forward purposefully from there. Thank you for the post today!
As I move into a new leadership role I am happy to hear of this leadership style. I would love to read the book and learn to develop the questions. I believe I approach most situations willing and eager to learn. I am not always sure about my questions.
This is GREAT advice! I’m on a journey to create a more empowered team. The team is filled with judger questions. It’s EXTREMELY hard to change this mindset in yourself, let alone within others. I’d LOVE some ideas on how to help instill the learner mindset (other than ‘lead by example’) in others!
Love this article. I think leaders “catching themselves” in one stance or another is helpful to promote their growth. Thank you.
I’ve always felt I am an optimist, and the concept of being an open learner is a new perspective for me. How to navigate between staying on the path of the open learner and finding others can be challenging in what seems to be a world full of judger learners and thinkers. I like the fact that I can “see” myself a bit better, and therefore can become a bit stronger as an open learner! Thank you!
I’ve always found that it was easier to work with and achieve for leaders that ask questions. It show that they want to know, not just tell.
I can’t wait to read this text!
The discipline of listening first and pausing to consider what was actually said–not just the words, but the message of the communication, doing this before speaking can be of benefit in countless ways.
It has taken me consciously making a choice to ask positive, forward movingg questions when working through challenges as a team leader. It has been enormously effective in improving relationships in both my work and home environment.
Questioning can be very powerful if asked the right way.
I am excited to learn more about this. Asking question is the best way to understand others.
This is a nice concept of looking at things! Asking questions might also lead to new ideas, so that is definitely a win for all!
A great Reminder to first seek to observe without being so quick to pass judgement – I read this blog everyday – thanks !
It can be a challenge to change a mind-set. While the idea of a learner leader sounds effective, moving away from a default mindset of judgment and blame takes intention, effort, and a belief in the alternative. Perhaps the reason that lead learner thinking and questioning needs its own book is that leaders do not naturally go there. And the leaders who have learned to seek the win-win are usually the most effective.
As Always, very practical, applicable and edifying. I would like a book please!
I love learning more about asking the “right” questions. I would love a copy of the book.
So true, I always try to remind myself to actively listen rather than simply seeking an opportunity to fire back a reply. There will always be a nugget, takeaway in all collaborative interactions to become more knowledgeable on people, processes, situational awareness, etc.
This book can be very helpful to learn the differences between pretending listening and real respectful listening and to identify results. Thanks for the opportunity.
I’d like a copy.
This is so timely! I was just talking with some coaches in our early childhood state system and the importance of using questions in their coaching role. I would love to have a copy of this book and maybe we could use it for a book discussion group.
Good post. Thanks.
Thank you, Miss Adams, for sharing and thank you Dan for being humble enough to allow other bright minds to share their knowledge in your forum. It is refreshing to learn of others that share the same views. from servant-leadership to learning-leading. Hopefully these tenets are adopted across a wide spectrum of industries.
Asking effective and thought provoking questions has become a lost art, IMHO. I would welcome adding this soon to be a classic to my library
As I tell my students, dial down your judgment and dial up your curiosity. Both can’t be dialed up at the same time.
That quiz really made me think, so thank you for the questions! I need to be more intentional in this area.
I appreciate the thought provoking bits that always entice me to grow and learn!
“Learner ears” this is a great concept and one I would love to learn more about. Our mindsets are powerful forces in the way we lead others.
We know the human mind begins the judging process when we are meeting people. It is the challenge to turn that off and be open to they way things actually are or can be and not the way your brain would like to categorize things.
Fantastic tips on coaching staff, in a positive and uplifting manner.
Being aware of, and making the conscious decision to approach a situation with a Learner mindset rather than a Judgmental one is a great piece of advice. The challenge is being awake to this, to keep it front of mind as often as possible.
One tool I try to use for this is to stick reminders around my office and also put reminders in my calendar when I book in a time for a meeting with a colleague.
Thanks for the reminder!
Ben
Love it. A learning posture is so key to functioning well as a leader, and yet it seems so counterintuitive to many. Took me a while to fully appreciate the approach.
What a great post! I really enjoyed the tip about being a learner listener and not a judger listener. Great tips and easy to put to use!
I am excited to learn more about building a community of learner listeners. I would love a copy of your book!
OMG yes please I would love a copy of these books please. I am very excited to learn more 🙂
I love point #5 especially since many meetings can be one-way/regurgitation of information, leaving no room for collaboration and strategy discussion. Are there any templates or suggestions in the book?
I’m teaching a class on learning organizations. I would love a copy to see if this would be a good book for the students in my next term.
Quoting: “ Learner questions are genuinely curious and open-minded.” So important for questions to be learner questions – they must motivate curiosity (so students will seek additional sources to enhance understanding) and they must not provide a possible pathway (so student experience includes finding and optimizing the focus of their efforts).
I will ask questions that are full of curiosity and avoid the ones that feel more judgemental. It seems like the judgemental questions come from a more negative and stuck mindset whereas the learner ones are positive and eager to learn about others, self, and situation.
Learning to listen effectively is a life-long discipline, but well worth the efforts.
These “learner” questions are great way to open conversations and promote development of solutions. A follow on post on narrowing options down would be great since this is largely the role of leaders, narrowing in on specific solutions.
I would love a copy of your book. I tend to lean towards judger questions and want to improve interactions with my team
Using the Learner mindset as a Leader takes practice – first we must recognize when we are using our Judge mindset, then take a step back (and maybe a breath or two), and shift to a “not knowing” mindset—being present (listening) and totally curious. Too many leaders want to “tell” vs use their curiosity to learn and empower their team to learn. As a leadership coach, I love helping leaders move toward a “learner” mindset and use questions without judgment. The book will be a great addition to my leadership coaching library.
Thank you Dan for summarizing the key points here regarding how to be a better learner leader. I had an opportunity to listen to Dr. Adams talking about the 4th edition of her book. One thing she highlighted is that we all have the two mindsets and we all know how to ask questions. The area we need to work on is to practice switching these mindsets and asking learner questions more reliably and predictably (looks like building new habit to me).
I think this is sometimes how you find a real leader in a room of leaders. The leader willing to listen and ask the questions is typically more respected and builds a strong team of people. Those who judge have a team “built on sand” that would probably turn on them given the opportunity. Great reminders!
I have enjoyed the Choice Map and what it has added to my thinking about the choices that I make and the internal dialogue that goes with those. I would like to read more.
I have a pad that I keep on my desktop with my “to do” list every day. At the top of it I write, “Ask Good Questions!” Keeps me humble.
Thank you for the Choice Map, I would luv to read your book.
I have to do a better job of leading with questions not answers.
Great topic! I think it is true great questions can define good leadership. I’d be interested in reading the book to learn more about this.
I would love to receive a copy to learn further about this topic.
I consider myself a lifelong learner and am always eager for new ways to think about doing things better. This book is right up my alley. Sounds like it would also make a great office-book-club candidate. I love that it has a workbook to incentivize one to put into practice the newly gained knowledge.
When we are what we think, this is excitingly, a practical translation of psyche/thoughts management! Self awareness means we are aware of our thinking and feeling, and able to look within to result in the outward outcomes we prefer. Awesome tools to be able to learn together in teams, workshops etc.
Love this topic – definitely a much needed skill as a leader and in life… the ability to ask questions
I’d love a copy to explore more! Thanks for the chance!
Judgers are arrogant
Learners are humble
This is very informative. I am interested in learning more. I study Choice Theory and it is a similar concept. We talk about “both / and”, it is the same as “win /win?”
Learning to use”learner ears” when asking open ended questions is a valuable tool every leader needs to develop to grow their teams. Listen and learn, it’s what makes that WIN-WIN possible!