In leadership, brilliance alone is never enough. No matter how insightful or experienced a CEO may be, there is one essential question that should shape every meaningful conversation with their team:

“What do you think?”

At Mentoring Consult Ltd (MCL), we emphasize that this question is far more than a courtesy - it is a strategic leadership tool. It signals openness, invites collaboration, and communicates that every voice in the organization matters.

During our work at the Haines Centre for Strategic Management, the late Steve Haines, a renowned systems thinker, consistently reinforced a timeless principle:

People support what they help create.

By asking “What do you think?”, CEOs invite their teams to participate in shaping solutions, strategies, and decisions. This sense of ownership increases commitment, strengthens alignment, and accelerates execution. When people help create the path, they are far more willing to walk it.

For CEOs committed to building strong, engaged, high-performing organizations, this one question must become a habit - a constant presence in every discussion, meeting, and strategic dialogue.

If insights like this resonate with you, follow our company’s Linkedin page for exclusive CEO-level perspectives and actionable strategies to build high-performance, system-thinking organizations.

For further inquiries or to discuss how Mentoring Consult Ltd can support your organization’s strategic transformation, please contact us at transform@mclgroup.net or reach us via phone or WhatsApp at +372 5838 2595.