The Secret to Effective LeadershipEvery leader has a favourite question that they often resort to. The one question that I've found most effective — a secret I'm happy to share — is one that the best leaders I've encountered also frequently use.The Scenario: Addressing the Symptom, Not the DiseaseLet's consider a recent situation. A Chief Marketing Officer approaches the CEO, venting about the challenging economic climate, the increase in ad spend, and a slew of other problems. They feel unable to fulfil their job responsibilities due to these issues.A less experienced leader might dive in, offering solutions or suggestions. However, the best leaders I've worked with take a different approach. They simply ask one question: "What's really going on here?"The Question: A Tool for Deeper UnderstandingThis question prompts the other person to pause and reflect. The individual might have come with numerous complaints and issues, but these are often just symptoms of a deeper issue. Asking, "What's really going on here?" helps delve beneath the surface, unraveling the underlying layers of the problem.It prompts the individual to explore their emotions, thoughts, and motivations, leading them to question their predicaments more deeply. If the person responds with another surface issue, the effective leader repeats the question until they strike emotional gold.Getting to the Heart of the Matter: Addressing Emotional RoadblocksYou'll know you've hit the mark when the person begins discussing emotional challenges or personal insecurities. These are often the real obstacles holding them back, masked by a barrage of other superficial issues. By addressing the underlying emotions and their sources, you can help the person understand what they truly need to do next.Conclusion: Probing Beyond the SuperficialIf you find yourself constantly being approached with the same, superficial problems — issues that the person should ideally be able to address themselves but lacks the confidence to — pause and ask: "What's really going on here?"Don't stop asking this question until you uncover the true root of the problem. It could be a lack of confidence, fear, personal issues, or inter-employee challenges. Once you identify the real cause, you can address it head-on, solving the actual problem instead of merely treating its symptoms. ___Videos for all these episodes are on my YouTube channel.If you enjoy my content and you want to get in touch to find out how I could work with you, or someone you know, you can reach me at:My LinkedIn PageOr you can drop me an email.

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