Loading...
Loading...
In this insightful episode of The Science of Leadership, host Tom Collins, MD, talks with Bob Tiede, author of Success Unlocked: The Transformative Power of Questions and long-time campus ministry leader. They explore the core idea of leading with questions, which Bob confesses changed him from a "benevolent dictator" into a far more effective leader.
Bob argues that leading with questions is the "hidden symbol" of effective leadership. When leaders ask and genuinely listen to their staff, several transformative things happen:
The episode features two foundational principles and simple tools:
Bob shares compelling real-world examples, including how Navy Captain Michael Abrashoff transformed the morale of the USS Benfold from "worst to first" simply by conducting one-on-one meetings and asking three powerful questions , and how asking the frontline staff at Walt Disney World Laundry Services slashed employee turnover.
Also, I want to remind listeners about the release of my book, "The Four Stars of Leadership," a culmination of over three years of dedicated work, and I'm confident it will be an immensely interesting and helpful guide on your journey to becoming a better leader. Don't miss out on this essential resource—order your copy today at Amazon or Barnes & Nobles and share your thoughts with me!
Sharpen your leadership skills: Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app to ensure you don't miss an episode dedicated to helping you become a better leader.
To learn more about the Science of Leadership, visit https://www.fourstarleaders.com/
References
Cannon-Bowers JA, Bowers CA, Carlson CE, Doherty SL, Evans J, Hall J. Workplace coaching: a meta-analysis and recommendations for advancing the science of coaching. Front Psychol. 2023 Oct 10;14:1204166. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1204166. PMID: 37881215; PMCID: PMC10597717.
Collins, T. (2025). The Four Stars of Leadership: Scientifically-Derived Principles from the Experiences of America’s Highest-Ranking Leaders. Four Star Leaders.
Huang, K., Yeomans, M., Brooks, A. W., Minson, J., & Gino, F. (2017). It doesn't hurt to ask: Question-asking increases liking. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 113(3), 430–452. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000097
Marquardt, M. J., & Tiede, B. (2023). Leading with Questions: How Leaders Discover Powerful Answers by Knowing How and What to Ask. Wiley.
Tiede, B. (2020). Now That’s a Great Question. Bob Tiede
Tiede, B. (2025). Success Unlocked: The Transformative Power of Questions. Bob Tiede.
Wang, Q., Hou, H., & Li, Z. (2022). Participative Leadership: A Literature Review and Prospects for Future Research. Front Psychol. 2022 Jun 3;13:924357. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.924357. PMID: 35719563; PMCID: PMC9204162.
No transcript available for this episode.
The Science of Leadership
The Science of Leadership
The Science of Leadership