Why better questions matter more than quick fixes.
In fast-paced environments, reacting can start to feel like leadership.
Problems come up. Someone needs an answer. A decision has to be made—now!!
So leaders jump in, fix what’s broken, and move on to the next thing. By the end of the day, they’ve been busy, helpful, and are now exhausted.
But reacting isn’t leading. It’s surviving.
Over time, constant reacting creates patterns we don’t always notice.
Teams begin to wait instead of think. Leaders feel like everything depends on them. Frustration grows on both sides. And before long, the question shifts from How do I improve? to Why does this keep happening? That’s usually a sign that the wrong questions are being asked.
I was reminded of this recently in a conversation with restaurant operator and consultant Vince Lanni on the QBQ! Podcast. The restaurant industry is a perfect example of a high-pressure environment. Tight margins, fast pace, and very little room for error. Vince described leadership as the difference between “plugging holes” and “steering the ship.” Both feel productive, but only one actually moves you forward.
This is where the QBQ comes in.
- Why didn’t they do this right?
- Why does this keep falling back on me?
- Why won’t people take ownership?
Accountable leadership sounds different:
- What can I do to anticipate this next time?
- How can I make my expectations more clear?
- What can I do to help my team succeed without me stepping in every time?
Those questions don’t ignore problems. They address them at the source.
In our conversation, Vince shared how many of the issues leaders complain about—turnover, inconsistency, missed details—can often be traced back to training, communication, or systems that were never fully thought through. Reacting fixes only today’s issue. Leading reduces tomorrow’s. That shift doesn’t require a new title or more authority. It simply requires better questions. When leaders move from reacting to leading, something important changes. Teams start thinking instead of waiting. Accountability moves closer to the work. And leaders stop carrying everything themselves.
So here’s the reflection I’ll leave you with:
Where are you reacting right now, and what QBQ! could you use to help you lead instead?
If you’re interested, I talk more about this idea in a recent episode of the QBQ! Podcast. The link is below.