Masterclass Catalog

Leadership |

Leadership by Question Dr. Matthew Bowler — Director of the MBA Program and Associate Professor of Management in the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University Leadership doesn’t just happen from behind a podium—it happens in conversations, meetings, and one-on-one interactions. This seminar explores how asking the right questions at the right time can be a powerful leadership tool.

Participants will learn to: Recognize the difference between leading with statements vs. questions Use questions to guide individuals, teams, and meetings Craft thoughtful, well-timed questions in face-to-face, written, and virtual settings Encourage others to ask meaningful questions in groups and meetings Build social power, foster creativity, and develop future leaders through questioning

BENEFITS Participants will leave with practical strategies to lead more effectively by engaging others through questions — building consensus, commitment, and collaboration. They will also be better equipped to help others grow as leaders by modeling a question-based leadership style.

Presented by the Department of Management and the Center for the Future of Work in the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University.

I. Introduction II. How most people practice leadership III. Assessment tool to gage one’s leadership style IV. Why leading with questions is important and how it is different V. What are good questions and what are not? VI. Examples of good questions VII. Activity practicing written communication based on questions VIII. Creating verbal questions and delivering questions IX. Getting others to ask your questions X. Practicing using verbal questions in leading and meeting SEMINAR OUTLINE Tool for self-assessment for leadership style, activity and case materials, and role-playing materials. Participants should bring or be provided a computer to use during the seminar.