# 35 Impactful Questions Managers Should Ask Themselves Regularly We asked top startup leaders to share the questions they ask themselves to become better managers and assembled their answers into a can't-miss checklist. ## **QUESTIONS FOR GAUGING TEAM MORALE** ### **1. Who haven’t I heard from?** Often managers won’t hear much from their highest performers, who are heads-down building and cranking out results. It's vital to remain attentive to those individuals who might be quietly working through challenges. > Not everyone is going to be a squeaky wheel. As a manager, you need to be listening for what you’re not hearing as well. ### **2. How well do I know my team members? How well do they know each other?** It's paramount that you know your team personally. Understanding their backgrounds and aspirations is crucial for building a sense of belonging and enhancing performance. ### **3. Have I made a difference to each member of my team this week?** Regular check-ins can help ensure that each team member feels valued and supported. ### **4. Have I expressed gratitude to every single person on my team recently?** Recognizing contributions fosters a positive work environment and reinforces team cohesion. ### **5. Is anyone a flight risk?** Regularly assess team morale and look for signs that anyone may be disengaged or overwhelmed. ## **QUESTIONS FOR TRACKING TEAM PERFORMANCE** ### **6. Is each member on the team overperforming, on track, or underperforming?** Understanding the performance levels of your team members helps tailor support and development accordingly. ### **7. What resource recommendation can I send someone this month?** Encouraging continuous learning and development can greatly benefit team growth. ### **8. Does my team know what success looks like for their role?** It's vital to ensure that team members fully understand their goals and expectations. ### **9. Does my vision for the team member’s trajectory line up with their vision for their own career trajectory?** Regular discussions on career paths can align both managerial and employee aspirations. ### **10. In the last six months, has each member of the team grown in noticeable ways?** Reflect on individual growth and development to identify areas for further support. ### **11. If I could just wave a magic wand and have a new candidate replace this position, would I want to do it?** This can reveal the necessity of tough conversations regarding performance. ### **12. Does my team know what their superpowers are?** Recognizing each team member's strengths is essential for job satisfaction and effectiveness. ### **13. What are the challenges ahead of our team?** Identifying challenges helps in setting clear priorities and strategies. ## **QUESTIONS FOR MEASURING YOUR EFFECTIVENESS AS A MANAGER** ### **14. Does the team know what the strategy is (not just our tactics)?** Ensure your team understands the broader goals beyond day-to-day tasks. ### **15. Is anyone on the team just cranking out work without context?** Provide context for tasks to motivate team members effectively. ### **16. What more can I say no to?** Clarifying priorities is crucial for effective management. ### **17. Could my team function without me?** Encouraging team independence strengthens their capabilities. ### **18. What’s one thing on my plate that I can delegate to my team?** Delegation empowers your team and allows you to focus on higher-impact tasks. ### **19. When was the last time I asked for feedback?** Open channels for feedback strengthen relationships within the team. ### **20. How many times did I ask questions versus give answers this week?** Encourage critical thinking by asking more questions instead of providing direct answers. ## **QUESTIONS FOR BETTER DECISION-MAKING** ### **21. How sure am I?** Regularly reflecting on your decision-making confidence is essential for effective leadership. ### **22. Am I operating from a place of security or panic?** Be mindful of your mindset during decision-making. ### **23. What would be a completely different approach to this answer, project, or problem?** Challenging assumptions can lead to creative solutions. ### **24. Am I hearing the group’s problems?** Listening deeply can reveal underlying issues that need to be addressed. ## **QUESTIONS FOR MANAGING UP & SIDEWAYS** ### **25. Do I know what’s important to my boss right now?** Alignment with your manager's priorities is crucial for effective collaboration. ### **26. What is my team being paid to do?** Reflect on the value your team brings to the organization to maintain focus. ### **27. If the business were a person, would they significantly benefit from my organization’s priorities and efforts?** This reflection helps highlight potential disconnects between actions and outcomes. ### **28. What have I been hesitating to share, create, or take action on?** Overcoming hesitance can enhance team progress. ### **29. What does the person on the other end need to know?** Keeping communication clear and concise prevents misunderstandings. ### **30. How can I drive conversation across teams?** Promoting inter-team dialogue fosters collaboration. ## **QUESTIONS FOR FOCUSING ON YOUR PERSONAL WELL-BEING** ### **31. What energized me today?** Regular self-reflection on energy levels can guide your daily actions. ### **32. Am I being kind to myself?** Practice self-compassion to maintain emotional fitness. ### **33. What can I learn from this?** Adopt a learning mindset to foster growth opportunities. ### **34. Was I busy or productive today?** Evaluate productivity to manage time more effectively. ### **35. What do I want to practice?** Focus on continuous improvement by setting personal development targets.