Even as the world moves into the digital age, the harsh reality that remains unchanged is that “being a great manager is easy, but being a good leader is rare”. Therefore, anyone who declares themselves a “leader” must possess not only the skills to manage a business effectively but also the art of leading people. This involves not just the authority that instills respect in subordinates but also the grace to win their hearts.

          Nowadays, there are many secret formulas for being a good leader, but one method that seems to resonate with digital-age leaders who dislike sticking to traditional theories is to ask questions that lead to answers on how to become an outstanding boss.

          1. What part of your work do you feel is the most meaningful? Take some time to review the list of employees in your department and consider how meaningful the tasks you assign to each of them are in their eyes. Once you know, don’t just take it at face value; ask them directly if they truly feel that way. The benefit of regularly asking this question is that it helps you understand your subordinates better and know how to allocate tasks that will motivate them. Just ensure that you have the art of questioning down so that you don’t inadvertently inject your own thoughts or lead them to answer insincerely.

          2. How can I help you as your boss? Don’t misunderstand that asking this question means you’re coddling your subordinates and preventing them from growing. The underlying meaning of this question is about what you can do to guide them toward achieving their goals on their own, with you acting as the light that helps them see opportunities or new doors to solutions.

          3. What problems are you facing? A good leader must not shy away from confronting problems. Instead of waiting for cracks in the department or organization to widen and become widespread before addressing them, it’s better to tackle issues early on to prevent your subordinates from having to work under uncomfortable conditions.

          4. What was a special moment for you this week? This question might feel a bit awkward for a boss who usually doesn’t joke around with their subordinates, but trust me, it will pave the way for you to get to know your employees better. Whether their special moment is something small like organizing a birthday party for their one-year-old son or receiving a compliment from a client, you can bring these positive moments into team celebrations to foster good relationships within the team.

          5. How can I become a better boss? In this world, there is no perfect leader, but what’s more important is that once you recognize this, a good leader must be ready to identify their weaknesses and improve. The simplest way to find your weaknesses is to listen to others or ask your subordinates. You don’t have to take the first answer at face value, as they might hesitate to respond honestly. However, try to ask this question frequently, listen with an open mind, and use the feedback to make improvements.

          All of this comprises 5 simple questions that serve as shortcuts for anyone looking to step up as a leader or wanting to level up to become a better leader. Because even though there are no truly perfect leaders, everyone can be a good leader.