Over the past two years, our principals and administrative team have been studying The Multiplier Effect by Liz Wiseman, Lois Allen, and Elise Foster. This book has challenged us to think differently about leadership and, more importantly, about how we help others grow.

One chapter that has had a lasting impact on me is The Challenger. The central message is simple but powerful: great leaders don't always provide the answer… they ask the right questions.
As leaders, it is easy to jump in with solutions. However, when we pause and ask thoughtful questions instead, we create opportunities for others to think more deeply, solve problems creatively, and discover solutions they may not have considered on their own. The best leaders challenge people to stretch their thinking without stretching them so thin that they become discouraged. That balance is where real growth happens.

The authors describe three practices of a Challenger: asking questions that provoke deeper thinking, presenting meaningful challenges that inspire growth, and helping others believe they are capable of accomplishing more than they thought possible. When leaders do this well, they build the confidence and capacity of those around them rather than relying on their own expertise.

This has caused me to reflect on my own leadership. Instead of asking, "How can I solve this problem?" I try to remember to ask myself, "What questions can I ask that will help others discover the solution?" That shift has been both challenging and rewarding.

The exciting part is that this mindset doesn't stop with administrators. When school leaders model this approach, teachers begin doing the same with their students. Rather than simply giving answers, teachers encourage students to think critically, persevere through challenges, and develop confidence in their own abilities. Those are skills that extend far beyond the classroom. The same concept holds true in our roles as trusted adults, parents, and grandparents.

One quote from the book particularly stands out to me. People who work for "Multipliers" often describe the experience as "a bit exhausting but totally exhilarating!" While growth requires effort, it also creates excitement, ownership, and a belief that together we can accomplish more than we ever imagined.

As we continue our work together, I hope we all embrace the power of asking better questions. When we challenge one another, encourage new thinking, and believe in the potential of those around us, we create schools where teachers feel empowered, students thrive, and learning continues to grow. It is a community effort!

Sometimes the greatest leadership isn't found in having the right answers… it's found in asking the right questions.