Action Quote by Marshall Goldsmith
“Active questions are the alternative to passive questions. There is a huge difference between, 'Do you have clear goals?' and 'Did you do your best to set clear goals for yourself?' The former is trying to determine the employee's state of mind; the latter challenges the employee to describe or defend a course of action.”
About This Quote
Active questioning pushes individuals to reflect on their actions and intentions, fostering self‑accountability rather than merely assessing current status.
In simple terms: Promotes self‑accountability
Ask how, not just what
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- performance reviews
- team meetings
- one‑on‑one coaching
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- leadership development
- employee engagement
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the phrasing of a question shape the response?
- What habits can you develop to ask more active questions?
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