This book was so good! The questions and premise was so well done. Great story and very engaging. Totally worth reading!!

As a new manager, I found this book to be a useful exercise to starting to define my leadership journey. I appreciated the way the author weaved thought-provoking exercises, well-researched insights, and practical examples to understand how others have approached these same ideas.

This book is a rare gem in the crowded field of leadership literature—concise yet profound, practical yet deeply reflective. Aimed at aspiring leaders who are eager not only to learn but to grow, this book presents a thoughtful and elegant framework built around seven deceptively simple yet powerful questions.
Rather than offering a traditional checklist of leadership tools, Mostyn invites readers to engage in two of the most transformative activities for any leader: reflection and experimentation. Drawing from decades of experience teaching at the Oxford Executive Leadership Programme and working with thousands of mid-career professionals, Mostyn distills his wisdom into seven core questions that challenge readers to think deeply about their own leadership journey.
Each chapter is structured to guide the reader through these questions—such as "How do I spend my time?" and "How do I grow more leaders?"—with engaging exercises, grounded research, and real-world examples. The tone is conversational but purposeful, creating an accessible and motivating reading experience. What sets this book apart is its ability to speak directly to the reader’s inner world while also prompting practical shifts in behavior and mindset.
Mostyn's insights are not theoretical musings; they are field-tested reflections that have shaped the growth of over 5,000 leaders worldwide. The questions are designed not just to be answered, but to be lived—and that is where the book's true value lies. For any aspiring leader ready to move beyond surface-level leadership strategies and dig into the deeper questions that shape influence, culture, and legacy, Why Great Leaders Ask Great Questions is essential reading. This is more than a book—it’s a companion for the leadership journey.

Having read many books in this field, I have read many which pair a catchy title with a good premise along with regurgitated and repackaged material inside. This book is not one of them. I particularly appreciated the format and weaved personal insights along with the exercises, truly demonstrating how these wise questions have aided leaders in various situations. The question themselves seem so simple -- its the method delineated through this book which helps leaders make the most of the information they receive in the answers to those questions.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a fascinating book on seven questions great leaders should be asking themselves and reflecting on. I found the chapters both accessible and actionable. This is a great leadership for leaders and aspiring leaders everywhere.

Book Review: Why Great Leaders Ask Great Questions: The 7 Essential Reflections for Every Aspiring Leader by Steve Mostyn

Mastering the Art of Inquiry for Transformational Leadership
Steve Mostyn’s Why Great Leaders Ask Great Questions reframes leadership development through the lens of intentional questioning—a skill he argues is more critical than having all the answers. Designed for aspiring and emerging leaders, the book distills leadership wisdom into seven foundational reflections, each anchored in the power of curiosity. Mostyn’s background in organizational psychology and executive coaching shines through as he blends academic rigor with street-smart practicality, offering readers a roadmap to cultivate influence, foster innovation, and navigate ambiguity.

Key Strengths
-Question-Centric Framework: The “7 Essential Reflections” (e.g., “What legacy do my questions leave?” and “Am I listening to learn or to reply?”) challenge readers to audit their communication habits.
-Actionable Exercises: Each chapter includes reflective prompts and real-world scenarios to bridge theory and practice.
-Psychological Depth: Explores how questions can dismantle power imbalances, build psychological safety, and spark creativity in teams.

Potential Considerations
-Niche Appeal: While invaluable for new leaders, seasoned executives may crave more advanced case studies.
-Repetition Risk: The central thesis—questions > answers—is reinforced heavily; skimmers might miss nuanced applications.

Score Breakdown (Out of 5)
Originality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Turns a familiar adage into a system.
Practicality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5) – Tools for immediate use, not just inspiration.
Accessibility: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Jargon-light but demands active engagement.
Impact: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) – Has potential to recalibrate leadership mindsets.
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5) – Like a master key for locked doors in leadership—simple shape, infinite doors it can open.

Ideal Audience
-Early-career professionals transitioning to leadership roles.
-Managers seeking to improve team dialogue and psychological safety.
-Coaches/Mentors building curricula on communicative leadership.

Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Steve Mostyn for the advance copy. This book doesn’t just teach questions—it teaches how to think in questions, a gift that keeps giving in an uncertain world.

Note: Review based on an ARC; minor edits may appear in the final edition.

This book feels like a quiet challenge. Instead of brandishing “leadership secrets,” Mostyn invites you to slow down, reflect, and experiment. He grounds his approach in seven core questions leaders should ask themselves—questions about time, power, energy, growth—and he weaves in stories, short exercises, and reflections to make each one land. I especially loved moments where I felt called out: “Where does my power come from?” lingered in my mind long after I put the book down.

But there are parts that didn’t work fully for me. At times the writing leans toward motivational language rather than rigorous critique. Some chapters felt a bit idealistic, as if the author assumes levels of freedom or resources that not every leader has. A few of the exercises felt a bit generic, and I found myself skimming when examples piled up without fresh perspective.

I’ll give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
This is not a flashy leadership manual, but for someone willing to pause and reflect, it offers useful prompts and new angles. It’s a book I’d revisit during big transitions or when I feel stuck in routine.

This book argues that the best leaders are not those with all the answers but those who cultivate the discipline of asking better questions. Drawing on his experience as an educator and leadership coach, Steve presents seven guiding questions: How do I reflect? How do I spend my time? Where does my power come from? How do I grow my network? How do I make change happen around here? How do I manage my energy? How do I grow more leaders? .

Each question serves as a framework for reflective practice. Leaders are urged to pause, step back, and engage others in dialogue rather than rushing to prescribe solutions. Steve highlights the importance of reflection, the distinction between working “on” versus “in” the system, the role of networks and influence, and the necessity of managing personal energy. Most importantly, he emphasizes multiplying leadership by developing others through micro-experiments, delegation, and daily interactions .

Blending research, stories, and practical exercises, Steve shows how questions unlock not just answers but people. His message is clear: leadership is a process of curiosity, humility, and adaptation. Asking great questions is not just a leadership tool—it is a way of life.

Why Great Leaders Ask Great Questions presents a thought-provoking exploration of leadership qualities that are crucial for the future.

While the book begins with the premise that great leaders are distinguished by their ability to ask meaningful and strategic questions, it quickly broadens its scope to explore broader themes such as the role of women in leadership, gendered leadership styles, climate responsibility, and educational equity. These are undeniably important topics, but the shift in focus may leave some readers expecting a deeper dive into the art and science of “asking great questions” feeling misled. The title seems to suggests that great leaders should think critically about multiple important subjects that have an impact on not only their organization but also the economy and people in general.

The author makes a compelling case for embracing leadership traits traditionally associated with women, such as empathy, collaboration, and vulnerability. He also highlights the growing importance of sustainability and climate change, urging leaders to make these issues central to their mission. Additionally, he sheds light on educational disparities, particularly those affecting girls and economically disadvantaged communities, tying it back to the future pipeline of diverse leadership.

While these chapters are rich in insight, they often feel loosely connected to the central thesis about the power of inquiry.

If you’re looking for a book on leadership that touches on inclusion, sustainability, and the evolving expectations of leaders in a global society, this book offers timely reflections. The author suggests that asking questions related to these themes can help to shape strategy, drive innovation and transforms teams.. It does not really answer the question Why Great Leaders Ask Great Questions but rather why they should.