When Jesus was 12 years old: “After three days they (his parents, Joseph and Mary) found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” — Luke 2:46.

There is a communication crisis wreaking havoc on corporate America.

The Society for Human Resource Management reports that miscommunication costs companies about $420,000 per year. In our offices, at home, and in our relationships, our communication determines what gets done and how well it gets done. Where, then does our communication go awry?

A good place to start is with our questions (or lack of). When a leader becomes so task-oriented and result-driven that he or she neglects a teammate's ideas and honest feedback, the leader does a disservice to organizational growth. An inability or refusal to ask questions leads to stagnation, siloing, and a lack of competitiveness. It also ignores an important biblical leadership principle.

That’s right, leading with questions is a biblical leadership principle.

Through years of studying the Gospel and Jesus’ ministry, many leaders in business have deduced that Jesus, himself, is the most critical example of excellent leadership and communication. During his ministry, Jesus invested time in teaching and training his followers, and empowered them to carry on his mission after he was gone.

How did he do this? One of his most effective strategies was leading with questions.

We can apply this leadership strategy to our own lives by studying Jesus’ ability to find meaning through the art of asking questions. Throughout the Gospels, we find numerous instances where Jesus asked questions to his disciples, religious leaders, and individuals seeking his help. Depending on the situation, Jesus was able to lead others to key realizations and incredible transformations.

Leading with Questions Can lead to Understanding and Unity

This may seem obvious, but asking thoughtful questions is an essential way of gaining knowledge and understanding. In the Bible, we see that Jesus often asked questions to help his disciples and followers understand his teachings. In Matthew 16:13-16, Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" He follows up with another question, "But who do you say that I am?" Through these questions, Jesus helps his disciples understand his identity and unified mission.

Similarly, in John 3:1-15, Jesus engages Nicodemus in a conversation where he asks him several questions to help him understand the concept of being born again. By asking questions, Jesus helps Nicodemus understand the spiritual truth that he is trying to convey.

It’s an organizational leader’s job to spur a sense of unity and collaboration. Simultaneously, leaders are responsible for streamlining efforts, and ensuring there’s a general understanding of the “what” and the “why”. Jesus’ ultimate example of using questions to ignite aligned perception and team harmony can and should be translated into our leadership habits.

Leading with Questions Reveals Heart

Jesus' questions oftentimes provoked people to think critically about their actions, and at other times, they were used to draw his team back to the mission.

In John 21:15-17, after Jesus' resurrection, he asks Peter three times, "Do you love me?" Jesus' repeated question is not only a way to confirm Peter's love for him but also to restore Peter after he had denied him three times. This line of questioning brought Peter back to the truths of his own heart, his own thoughts, and his own experiences. Jesus brought out of Peter what was true, and what was relevant – bringing him back to the mission.

When leaders ask good questions, they encourage their team members to think more critically about their own work and the problems they are trying to solve. By probing deeper into issues and asking thoughtful questions, leaders can help their team members uncover underlying assumptions and unspoken doubts that identify potential blind spots.

Leading with Questions Can Ignite Discussion and Foster Relationships

In Jesus’ day, the Jews hated the Samaritans. Those living in northern Israel would take the long route to Jerusalem, simply to avoid going through Samaria. So when Jesus asks ”Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” in Luke 10:36–37, there was most likely a long pause before the Jewish expert in the law replied, and almost certainly it was very difficult for him to verbalize that the hero of this story was a Samaritan when he hated all Samaritans.

Jesus could have told this story and ended by stating, “Therefore, the Samaritan was the good neighbor,” but instead he brilliantly asked the expert in the law to answer; knowing how potentially powerful answering that question might be in his life and the lives of the others present.

In our modern office, it’s not uncommon for conflict to arise. Sometimes sparked by clashing personalities or the competitive corporate ladder, office culture can be divisive and often lack truth. A good leader seeks to unite and pose questions that solicit truth and revelation. A strong leader is willing to address issues head-on rather than allowing them to fester and grow. Ultimately, the model of leading with questions calls for leaders to demonstrate their commitment to creating a culture of respect and accountability within the workplace.

To Summarize: Leading With Questions is Leading With Faith

Using strategic question-asking as a leadership framework is rooted in biblical principles. Not only does this method require biblical characteristics like trust, humility, and a willingness to listen and learn from others, but it’s also the pathway to establishing harmony in the office.

By leading with questions, we can represent the way of Jesus in everyday life and create a culture of curiosity, respect, and continuous improvement within our organizations.

Want to hone your leadership skills and explore what it means to become a faith driven entrepreneur? The first step is to join an entrepreneur group. Here, you’ll meet likeminded entrepreneurs and dive into our rich content series. Ask questions. Grow alongside peers. You’ll be glad you joined!

YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN AN ENTREPRENEUR GROUP