Leading Through Questions: A Parable on Unlocking Engagement

A farmer once had two fields.

In the first field, he gave his workers strict instructions every morning. “Did you water this row? Did you remove those weeds? Did you finish by noon?” The workers followed the orders, but their energy was low. They did just enough to avoid being scolded. The harvest was small.

In the second field, the farmer tried something different. Instead of barking tasks, he asked:

·       “What support do you need to succeed today?”

·       “What do you see that could help this field grow stronger?”

·       “What’s one improvement we could make together?”

The workers lit up. They shared ideas he never would have thought of like adjusting irrigation, rotating crops, even creating new planting methods. Because the farmer asked, they owned the field’s success. That harvest was abundant.

Command-and-control questions shut people down. Supportive questions open them up. When leaders shift from inspection to empowerment, employees stop working out of fear and start working out of commitment.  Energy goes up as well as speed.  That means that things happen faster, and people start winning with more abundance.  Employees actually look forward to coming back the next day.

Just as the farmer discovered unseen problems in the soil, leaders uncover hidden challenges when they ask curious questions. Employees often know what slows progress, but they won’t share it unless asked. Leadership curiosity makes it safe and employees are willing to share solutions. 

Workers in the second field also weren’t told what to do, they were invited to think. Questions that inspire ownership spark creativity, innovation, and accountability. That’s how teams grow into contribution instead of just showing up. They feel like they are part of a solution and that ownership allows them freedom to do more.

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions.
Like the farmer, you can choose what kind of field you lead: one where people do the bare minimum, or one where engagement, ownership, and ideas flourish.

Ask better questions. Reap a larger harvest.