Tough Questions To Help in Assessing Our Tasks

When reading stories of great leaders there are some tough questions we should ask. These questions help us better understand current situations and help us to create action steps for future situations.

A pro baseball player faces a different situation every time they come to bat. They have to take steps that enable them to perform at their best (or they find themselves sliding back towards the minor leagues instead of home plate). Learning to assess situations is similar to standing in the batters box. There are four main things expected of each leader. They are expected to:

• encounter (step up to the plate)
• engage (take stock of the playing field - how they are being defensed)
• execute (swing for the fence)
• and evaluate (why did the outcome happen)
  

Here are the questions that help us learn from other great leaders:

1. How did that leader accomplish their task or mission?
2. How did the leader inspire subordinates facing of stress and fatigue?
   
3. Are there any key factors that led to the accomplishment of their mission or task?
4. What did the leader do prior to facing their situation to prepare themselves and those they lead?

Military leaders have tough ground to cover when it comes to getting men to face death and still push forward. Here are some questions you should ask of yourself and of your people:

1. What am I doing to develop myself as a leader?
2. Why are my people willing to accomplish this task? What motivates them?
3. How can I build cohesion and discipline within my team to continue fighting even against great odds?
4. What beliefs, values, character, knowledge, and skills do I need to successfully lead people through tough situations?

When you can answer these questions you will find leading a lot easier even if the situations get a lot harder. Just imagine (if you are not in the military) how difficult it is to ask someone to march across a field as the enemy fires round after round at you and your men. What keeps them motivated to keep going as people die to their left and to their right - like the great charges of the Civil War? What pushes them beyond extremes to overcome great odds?

Every leadership situation may not be a life and death situation, but good leaders learn how to lead in all situations. Become a student of leadership today.