What do you think?
Rate this book
Out of the Question: How Curious Leaders Win
Out of the How Curious Leader Win offers a new mindset and a practical approach to thriving in the firestorm of change that today's leaders face. Existing businesses and business models are facing disruption at all levels. Our younger employees are not satisfied with just a “job,” but rather, want work that allows them to be involved and included in decisions― or they will walk. Leaders of teams who, in the past, could lead through command and control are finding themselves unable to keep up with the pace of change and the expanding challenges of engaging their talent.
This book offers readers a new and relevant framework to guide both personal and group decision-making. With rich stories and practical approaches, you will learn where you currently fall between two leadership styles defined as the Knower leader and the Learner leader. The authors demonstrate how you can make continuous progress towards the ideals of Learner Leadership in order to achieve the best possible outcomes, which inspire and engage teams. The key for leaders today is to carefully forge authentic and genuine questions, delivered with the right tone and in the right setting. By leading with curiosity and wonder, leaders can reduce stress on themselves by no longer needing to have all the answers. Leading with curiosity
creates a collaborative learning environment in which shared explorations of possible solutions flourish, leading to genuine questions. The process is rewarding for all and the results allow a team to accelerate their progress through the power of many.
This book offers readers a new and relevant framework to guide both personal and group decision-making. With rich stories and practical approaches, you will learn where you currently fall between two leadership styles defined as the Knower leader and the Learner leader. The authors demonstrate how you can make continuous progress towards the ideals of Learner Leadership in order to achieve the best possible outcomes, which inspire and engage teams. The key for leaders today is to carefully forge authentic and genuine questions, delivered with the right tone and in the right setting. By leading with curiosity and wonder, leaders can reduce stress on themselves by no longer needing to have all the answers. Leading with curiosity
creates a collaborative learning environment in which shared explorations of possible solutions flourish, leading to genuine questions. The process is rewarding for all and the results allow a team to accelerate their progress through the power of many.
- GenresBusiness
156 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2014
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 27, 2016
I am a lifelong learner. I love to read and learn about a variety of things I may never need to use. That doesn’t stop me. I just finished a book right up my alley – Out of the Question – How Curious Leaders Win in just a few hours. I was hooked. Authors Parsons and Milham assert that there are two types of leaders, Knowers and Learners. Most of us are somewhat in the middle of being a Knower or Learner however; we tend to lean towards one style or the other. To be effective leaders we need to learn our personal style, perhaps make some adjustments, and grow others.
Below is a visual of the Knower leader and the Learner leader. Which one are you and who do you want to work for?
Knower Learner
Directs and micromanages Open and creative
Tells and justifies position Discovers and guides
Closed to input and is rigid Dwells on possibilities and finds solutions
Tells and relies on history/facts Inquiry based leader and values input
Your grandpa’s leadership style Healthy ego and outlook
Title and education focused Orchestrates and connects
Covers up errors Leaders we admire not your Grandpa
It’s pretty obvious that Knowers are the leaders of yesterday. Our leaders need to be Learners as do you. Out of the Question offers guidance, tools, and stories about Learner leadership. These will inspire and urge you to learn in order to be a Learner leader. A key leadership skill shared is learning to think before you speak and pause. Reflect and learn before you move forward to engage others. Along with pausing, sound leaders ask questions and are open to ideas. Moreover, effective leaders re-calibrate and establish habits of mindfulness and adapt an “observer’s view” of people and situations.
One of my favorite chapters addressed activating the Learner mindset. Before you can lead others to become Learner leaders you must first activate yourself. This chapter exemplifies what leadership means to me and what I strive to bring to the table. Here’s how you can activate your learner mindset:
1. Challenge your assumptions on a regular basis
2. Bring in fresh eyes. Welcome outside people and new ideas.
3. Involve groups. Your ideas are not the best. Harvest ideas from others.
4. Be open to answers. Don’t assume you know it all. You aren’t a Knower leader!
Parsons and Milham offer pivotal ideas on how to lead Knowers and Learners. There are facets to both. Bringing Knowers around means learning what drives them and how to lead them to learning. Leading Learners is easier however; they may need guidance bringing their enthusiasm and ideas to fruition. Parsons and Milham offer advice on how to have productive meaningful discussions with our Knowers and Learners and what pitfalls can happen. It’s one feat to bring people around to a new way of leading however, it may be an uphill battle to keep them engaged and on the lifelong Learner leadership path.
Out of the Question – How Curious Leaders Win is a gem that you have to pick up. You will be inspired to work at transforming your own leadership skills and those around you. It’s a story about changing mindsets and empowering others. Start your learning today to grow into being a Learner leader. Knower leaders just don’t cut it anymore!
Below is a visual of the Knower leader and the Learner leader. Which one are you and who do you want to work for?
Knower Learner
Directs and micromanages Open and creative
Tells and justifies position Discovers and guides
Closed to input and is rigid Dwells on possibilities and finds solutions
Tells and relies on history/facts Inquiry based leader and values input
Your grandpa’s leadership style Healthy ego and outlook
Title and education focused Orchestrates and connects
Covers up errors Leaders we admire not your Grandpa
It’s pretty obvious that Knowers are the leaders of yesterday. Our leaders need to be Learners as do you. Out of the Question offers guidance, tools, and stories about Learner leadership. These will inspire and urge you to learn in order to be a Learner leader. A key leadership skill shared is learning to think before you speak and pause. Reflect and learn before you move forward to engage others. Along with pausing, sound leaders ask questions and are open to ideas. Moreover, effective leaders re-calibrate and establish habits of mindfulness and adapt an “observer’s view” of people and situations.
One of my favorite chapters addressed activating the Learner mindset. Before you can lead others to become Learner leaders you must first activate yourself. This chapter exemplifies what leadership means to me and what I strive to bring to the table. Here’s how you can activate your learner mindset:
1. Challenge your assumptions on a regular basis
2. Bring in fresh eyes. Welcome outside people and new ideas.
3. Involve groups. Your ideas are not the best. Harvest ideas from others.
4. Be open to answers. Don’t assume you know it all. You aren’t a Knower leader!
Parsons and Milham offer pivotal ideas on how to lead Knowers and Learners. There are facets to both. Bringing Knowers around means learning what drives them and how to lead them to learning. Leading Learners is easier however; they may need guidance bringing their enthusiasm and ideas to fruition. Parsons and Milham offer advice on how to have productive meaningful discussions with our Knowers and Learners and what pitfalls can happen. It’s one feat to bring people around to a new way of leading however, it may be an uphill battle to keep them engaged and on the lifelong Learner leadership path.
Out of the Question – How Curious Leaders Win is a gem that you have to pick up. You will be inspired to work at transforming your own leadership skills and those around you. It’s a story about changing mindsets and empowering others. Start your learning today to grow into being a Learner leader. Knower leaders just don’t cut it anymore!
January 25, 2016
Have you ever had a boss who asked you such a profound question that it stopped you in your tracks and caused you to think differently about who you are and what you’re doing? I have, but unfortunately, there are very few leaders who have this kind of impact. Most are eager to dispense advice and offer solutions instead of ask questions that cause others to think through a problem and come up with their own answer.
In their outstanding book, Out of the Question, authors Guy Parsons and Allan Milham make the distinction between KNOWER leaders and LEARNER leaders. I love those terms because they accurately describe two very different styles of leadership. Leaders who come from a Knower position feel the need to have all the answers and be perceived as the expert. Their egos are front and center because they’re concerned about being right. As a result, they’re often closed to new ideas and feel threatened by alternative explanations or solutions.
In contrast, Learner leaders don’t pretend to have all the answers. They recognize that others have important insights and experiences to contribute, so these leaders ask questions from a place of humility that encourage openness and sharing. They have genuine curiosity and are eager to solicit input that builds a solution much greater than just one person’s thinking.
The authors emphasize that QUESTIONS are key. Questions can encourage others to participate or shut them down. Questions can build engagement, commitment and momentum or deflate the most enthusiastic employee. And it’s not just the words you say, it’s how you say them that elicits a positive or negative reaction from those you’re interacting with. The questions you ask as a LEARNER communicate to others that you really want to hear what they have to say. The positive result is that they feel valued and appreciated. They’re more likely to feel safe in being honest, especially when they disagree with you or want to express concerns.
PAUSING is the second key. After someone approaches you…or after they’ve responded to a question…don’t be in a hurry to jump in. Be comfortable with giving them time and space to THINK. They may need to process information they’ve just heard. And not everyone is quick to articulate their ideas. Their brains may be busy evaluating alternatives and pondering consequences.
Also, the authors explain how to apply the PAUSE to your own response to a situation. Reacting instantly does not always lead to a positive result. Thinking about how you can create instead of react leads to a better, more thoughtful response. If you’re interested in taking your leadership skills to a higher level, I highly recommend this thought-provoking book.
In their outstanding book, Out of the Question, authors Guy Parsons and Allan Milham make the distinction between KNOWER leaders and LEARNER leaders. I love those terms because they accurately describe two very different styles of leadership. Leaders who come from a Knower position feel the need to have all the answers and be perceived as the expert. Their egos are front and center because they’re concerned about being right. As a result, they’re often closed to new ideas and feel threatened by alternative explanations or solutions.
In contrast, Learner leaders don’t pretend to have all the answers. They recognize that others have important insights and experiences to contribute, so these leaders ask questions from a place of humility that encourage openness and sharing. They have genuine curiosity and are eager to solicit input that builds a solution much greater than just one person’s thinking.
The authors emphasize that QUESTIONS are key. Questions can encourage others to participate or shut them down. Questions can build engagement, commitment and momentum or deflate the most enthusiastic employee. And it’s not just the words you say, it’s how you say them that elicits a positive or negative reaction from those you’re interacting with. The questions you ask as a LEARNER communicate to others that you really want to hear what they have to say. The positive result is that they feel valued and appreciated. They’re more likely to feel safe in being honest, especially when they disagree with you or want to express concerns.
PAUSING is the second key. After someone approaches you…or after they’ve responded to a question…don’t be in a hurry to jump in. Be comfortable with giving them time and space to THINK. They may need to process information they’ve just heard. And not everyone is quick to articulate their ideas. Their brains may be busy evaluating alternatives and pondering consequences.
Also, the authors explain how to apply the PAUSE to your own response to a situation. Reacting instantly does not always lead to a positive result. Thinking about how you can create instead of react leads to a better, more thoughtful response. If you’re interested in taking your leadership skills to a higher level, I highly recommend this thought-provoking book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews