| | JANUARY 2026MANAGEHRMAGAZINE.COM9Respect the past There are reasons why a company, team, or individual are where they are. Years of decisions have led to experience and output. Just because you are new doesn't mean you have the magic answer that was never considered and will ultimately change the way people think, act, and work. It's quite likely great leaders have tried before, so enter with respectful inquiry about the past. Remove `why' from questions, so that your approach is less likely to generate annoyed or defensive responses. Think of it as avoiding the "why" trap ­ it's like dodging a banana peel in a cartoon.Consider questions such as:·How did the company begin?·What journey has it followed?·What are the key learnings along the way?·What worked well?·What didn't work so well?·How did that come to be?Be curious about the present The past has led to the present state. The biggest error a new leader could make is to assume things about the present. The learning mindset must continue to lead to gathering the whole picture of how things are today. Whether you are inquiring about the company, your team, or an individual, may I suggest that you once again be intentional about the questions you ask. Curiosity didn't just kill the cat; it also made it a better leader.Some sample questions that can yield helpful insights may include:·What are current priorities?·How is time spent?·What fulfills you?·What drains you?·What is needed to continue progress?Envision the future Ideas and plans for an even better future don't have to come from the new leader; many are just waiting to be uncovered and championed among those who've grown with the company. Tap into the collective wisdom of the team and be open to new possibilities together. Think of it as a treasure hunt, but instead of gold, you find brilliant ideas.Some people may be quieter than others and will welcome the opportunity to share and be heard through questions like:·If you could change one thing, what would it be?·What is something you've always wanted to do, but haven't?·How can our team generate value for our stakeholders?·What do you want the team to be known for?No matter what new role you step into, remember to respect the past, be curious about the present, and envision the future together. An approach such as this will help to generate inclusivity, enrollment, and motivation to move forward together. Then you can focus on discovering the leaders around you because it really isn't about you. A leader isn't a leader until they have created space for and championed other leaders to emerge. Remember to respect the past, be curious about the present, and envision the future together. An approach such as this will help generate inclusivity, enrollment, and motivation.
< Page 8 | Page 10 >