The Power of Great Questions: Are You Ready to Transform Your Life?

Why I Used to Resist Questions

For years, colleagues, coaches, and even acquaintances’ relentless curiosity felt more like an invasion than a conversation. When faced with too many questions, irritation would bubble inside me, as if they were prying into my personal space. I often thought, “Do they not trust me?” or “Why is this relevant?” At times my preference for keeping things at a high level clashed with a desire for detail. Now looking back, I realised my discomfort stemmed less from the questions and more from my internal struggles. It wasn’t so much about the questions as about my readiness to engage. I often responded defensively or disengaged altogether, focusing on what was wrong with the questioner rather than confronting what was wrong within myself. My answers were logical but lacked depth, were often blunt, and often inconsiderate of the listener’s feelings. In truth, I was disconnected from my authentic self, oblivious to how this impacted my interactions.

Questions That Served the Organisation—Not Me

Over my 25-year career, I worked with many inspiring leaders and coaches who gradually helped me improve my response to questions. I learned to take them less personally. However, many of these questions centred on fitting into the organisational structure—how to become a better leader or serve the company’s goals. As a diligent employee, I adapted and grew, but at what cost? The hard truth was that I became increasingly exhausted while climbing the corporate ladder. The questions I faced helped me perform well but did little to reveal who I was at my core. They focused on my professional identity, not my personal values. My corporate success was not translating into genuine fulfilment.

The Question That Changed Everything

Then, in 2020, I met a coach who turned my world upside down. She took a radically different approach. Instead of honing in on my leadership skills, she asked me to dig deeper:

• Who am I beyond the title I hold?

• What truly matters in my life?

• Am I living in alignment with my core values?

• If not, what is holding me back?

For the first time, I was compelled to confront myself in a way I had never considered. As I delved deeper, I uncovered a painful truth: I had drifted far from what genuinely brought me joy.

The Wake-Up Call

Once upon a time, I loved my HR career—designing programmes, nurturing talent, and creating growth opportunities. But as I advanced, my role shifted dramatically. I became entangled in restructures and complex integrations. With each promotion, I moved further from the aspects of HR I cherished. My days were consumed with corporate challenges rather than uplifting individuals.

Then came my reckoning: Is this really what I want to do? The honest answer? No.

The Courage to Face the Hard Truth

At first, I resisted the tough questions. I rationalised my situation, convincing myself this was simply part of the job. But eventually, I could no longer ignore the truth staring back at me:

• I was burning out.

• I was exhausted

• If I didn’t initiate change, I would break under the pressure

This realisation was a wake-up call. It led me on a four-year transformation journey, ignited by a simple yet profound personal mantra: freedom to shine. I yearned to rediscover my authentic self, free from external expectations. The only way to achieve this was by continuously asking myself hard questions and confronting uncomfortable truths.

The Impact of Embracing Questions

The power of great questions didn’t merely reshape my career; it transformed my entire life. I learned that asking the right questions requires vulnerability and courage—a willingness to look within and face uncomfortable feelings.

I uncovered layers of myself I had long ignored with each question I embraced. I began to understand what truly mattered to me—my values, passions, and dreams. I recognised the importance of aligning my actions with my authentic self rather than merely fulfilling roles imposed by others.

Are You Ready to Ask Yourself the Hard Questions?

A great question holds immense power but only becomes transformative when you are willing to answer it honestly—from the heart rather than just the mind.

So here’s my challenge: what’s the one question you’ve been avoiding? What truth are you hesitant to confront? Are you brave enough to face the answer?

Your journey to self-discovery starts with that very question. Embrace the discomfort, and let it guide you towards your desired life.