The Quiet Power of a Well-Timed Question

(Blog #1)

Sometimes the most powerful thing a leader can do is not to provide an answer, but to ask the right question, at the right moment. Today, during a routine discussion with a team of educators, I found myself about to offer advice. The conversation was moving quickly, solutions were being suggested, and the instinct to “lead” through answers was strong, but something in the moment reminded me to pause. Instead of speaking, I simply asked:

“What do you think will help your students most in this situation?”

That small shift changed everything. The room slowed. People began reflecting, building on each other’s insights. A richer, more grounded conversation emerged, one that would not have happened if I had rushed to fill the space. As leaders and educators, we often feel the pressure to have solutions. But some of the most lasting learning, for teams, for students, for ourselves, happens when we create space for others to think deeply. A well-timed question can open that space.

Today reminded me, leadership is not about having all the answers. Sometimes, it’s about knowing when to ask the question that helps others find their best answer.

What’s one question you could ask today, to open space for reflection and growth?

Mark Pollitt, Founder of Seeds of Knowledge