“Can You Say More?”: The Leadership Power of Purposeful Questions
Have you ever found yourself in a meeting, knowing you want to contribute but unsure of what to say?
You feel like you don’t know enough about the topic to ask a “smart” question, but staying silent feels like fading into the background.
You’re not alone. Many high-achieving professionals—especially women leaders—feel the pressure to speak up in order to be seen. But here’s the truth: not every question adds value. Sometimes, the simplest questions can be the most powerful.
The Insight: Speak Less, Ask Better
In my coaching work, I’ve seen clients try to maintain leadership presence by participating in every conversation—often asking questions just for the sake of being heard.
But there’s a difference between visibility and value. Asking questions just to fill space can detract from the conversation instead of deepening it.
The real shift comes when you learn to ask purposeful, open-ended questions.
One of the most impactful? “Can you say more?”
This simple phrase was a staple in my leadership toolkit. I never assumed I knew what someone was thinking. Instead, I made space for them to expand on their thoughts, which allowed me to learn more without needing to have all the answers or asking a perfectly worded question.
Why This Matters for Leaders
You don’t need long-winded or complex questions to demonstrate strategic thinking. Sometimes, the most effective contribution is a short, intentional prompt that:
Encourages deeper reflection
Clarifies direction
Surfaces new insights
This skill can transform how you show up in:
Cross-functional or stakeholder meetings
1:1s with your direct reports
Conversations with executive leadership
By focusing less on sounding smart and more on inviting insight, you amplify your impact.
Coaching Toolkit: 5 Questions to Try This Week
Here are a few purposeful prompts to build this skill:
What haven’t we considered yet?
If resources were limitless, what solution would you want to explore?
Where could this go wrong?
What needs to be true for this to succeed?
Can you say more?
Pick one to use in your next meeting and see how it shifts the conversation.
Your Turn: Reflect and Reframe
How do you approach asking questions today?
Are you filling space, or creating it?
Leadership presence isn’t about saying more—it’s about knowing when and how to ask the questions that matter.
Looking for more ways to deepen your leadership presence? Explore coaching with LeadHER and learn how to lead with intention, clarity, and confidence.
