In this episode Siân Harrington speaks to Laura Ashley-Timms about the importance of asking good questions as a management superpower. Laura highlights the challenges faced by managers in today's complex and rapidly changing work environment and the need to reinvent the traditional command and control culture of management. She introduces the concept of the Frankenstein manager, who is made up of bits and pieces of knowledge and experience, and explains why organisations are not set up to ask the right questions. Laura presents a practical framework for developing the superpower of asking questions and driving action, and shares the results of a research study that demonstrates the effectiveness of operational coaching.

Key Takeaways

• 75% of bosses are accidental managers with no formal training in people management or leadership
• Employee engagement is stagnating, with only 23% of global employees being engaged
• Accidental managers are ill-equipped to deal with the complex and rapidly changing work environment
• The traditional command and control culture of management needs to be reinvented to focus on asking powerful questions
• Operational coaching, which involves an inquiry-led approach and asking the right questions, can drive performance and productivity increases
• A research study found that managers who underwent operational coaching increased the time they spent coaching by 70% and improved their skills in all management competencies
• Operational coaching can lead to positive organisational outcomes, such as improved retention and increased employment
• Asking powerful questions will become even more important in the age of AI, as it is crucial for getting the most out of AI and making informed decisions.

About Laura Ashley-Timms

Laura Ashley Timms is the chief operating officer of performance consultancy Notion and an expert on how to leverage operational coaching behaviours across organisations to drive commercial results and improve productivity and engagement levels. She has helped leaders and managers in over 40 countries to implement the award-winning STAR® Manager programme, has been recognised as one of the UK’s top executive coaches and as one of 40 outstanding global women. More recently she is co-author of management bestseller The Answer is a Question.

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