Stop answering what's asked,
Answer what's meant instead:
When someone asks, "How's the project going?" most respond, "It's fine."
But great leaders know this surface-level question masks deeper concerns:
• "Should I be worried?"
• "Are we meeting our goals?"
• "When will I get the next update?"
• "Do you need help?"
Surface-level responses miss opportunities to:
• Build trust through transparency
• Provide actionable clarity
• Demonstrate ownership
• Address unspoken concerns
Worse, vague answers breed doubt, cause churn, and trigger unnecessary escalations.
Here's what to do instead:
1/ If you know the person: Use your understanding of their concerns and priorities. For example:
• “It’s on track. We’re dialing up milestone M1 on Tuesday as planned. Our next status update is scheduled for Wednesday.”
2/ If you don’t know the person well: Provide an answer and invite clarity (demonstrates ownership). For example:
• “The project is on track for delivery by XX/YY, and I’ve attached our latest bi-weekly update. Are there specific areas or concerns you’d like me to address?”
Answering the question behind the question is a leadership superpower.
PS: Questions are icebergs—90% lies beneath the surface.
