Curiosity Over Control: How Asking Better Questions Transforms Teams
- Dom Gardner
- Nov 20
- 2 min read
In healthcare, time is tight and stakes are high. It’s tempting to move fast, make decisions, and keep things running. But when leaders rely only on giving answers, teams stop thinking—they start following.
Asking better questions does three crucial things in healthcare environments:
Strengthens communication – Questions open space for input, feedback, and shared understanding.
Improves problem-solving – The right question reveals what data and dashboards can’t.
Builds engagement – People support what they help create. When staff feel heard, they take more ownership in outcomes.
When leaders shift from telling to asking, they move from managing compliance to cultivating commitment.
Real-World Application: Curiosity in Action
Here’s what question-based leadership looks like in practice:
During a team meeting, instead of asking, “Did everyone understand that?” a leader asks, “What questions do you have about our next steps?”
After a mistake, instead of saying, “Why did this happen?” they ask, “What did we learn—and what can we do differently next time?”
In a one-on-one check-in, they replace “How’s everything going?” with “What’s working well for you this week, and what’s getting in your way?”
These subtle shifts create deeper reflection and stronger engagement. They turn routine conversations into moments of growth.
How to Start Asking Better Questions
Great questions don’t need to be complicated—they need to be intentional. Here are simple ways to start:
Pause before responding. Instead of jumping in with a solution, take a breath and ask a clarifying question first.
Use open-ended starters: “What,” “How,” and “Tell me more about…” invite dialogue.
Replace judgment with curiosity. Instead of “Why didn’t you…?”, try “What made this approach feel right at the time?”
Practice reflective listening. Summarize what you’ve heard, then ask, “Did I get that right?”
End conversations with growth-focused prompts: “What’s one action you’ll take next?” or “How can I best support you?”
The more consistently you ask, the more naturally curiosity becomes your leadership default.
A Gentle Reflection
When was the last time you asked a question that made someone stop and think—really think? What might change in your team if your goal this week wasn’t to have more answers, but to ask better questions?
Curiosity costs nothing, but it creates everything: clarity, trust, and connection.
Wrapping Up
In healthcare leadership—and beyond—great leaders aren’t built on what they know; they’re built on what they’re willing to ask. When you lead with curiosity, you create a culture of openness, growth, and shared accountability. Because asking better questions doesn’t make you less of an expert. It makes you more of a leader.