This article was written and contributed by Colin Potts, COO, Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (ROSM)
One thing I see repeatedly while working with leaders, whether in formal coaching or everyday conversations, is that talented people don’t get stuck because they don’t have the answers. They hit roadblocks because they are asking the wrong questions.
We have been conditioned to value quick and confident answers, and it’s true that they hold a place in business. But the real growth does not start with knowing more. It begins with asking better questions.
Not better as in more clever or strategic. Better as in deeper.
This means asking questions like:
- What am I trying to avoid?
- What fear is influencing my decisions?
- What belief am I still holding onto that might no longer be true?
These are the questions that force you to think. They are not those you figure out over a quick coffee.
And the pause between the question and the answer is where the real growth begins.
Pause Over Productivity
Everything in leadership moves fast, except growth. It requires mental and emotional space to emerge. I have seen great leaders break through not because they found a new hack or a strategy, but because they stopped long enough to confront their own thinking.
That’s the space where clarity surfaces.
That’s how powerful right questions are. These questions do not get satisfied with only the right answers, they seek alignment.
From Knowing to Reflecting
In today’s world, we are not short on advice, and the world is inundated with information. The thing that is not ubiquitous is reflection.
That’s the reason I push leaders I work with to ask different questions. Questions that cut through the noise and act as a mirror.
Try asking yourself what your team would think your priorities are if they take a look at your calendar. Or, what would still be true about you if your greatest fear became the truth?
Don’t just react; rather, reflect because that’s where the transformation starts.
Let Go of the Hero Role
Being a leader does not mean having all the answers. Leaders are those who create spaces where the best questions get asked.
The strongest leaders I know are some of the most curious people I have ever met. They are the people who ask their teams, “What are we missing?” instead of, “Why did this fail?”
They ask their team how they can be of any support, instead of assuming they already know.
The Quiet Shift That Changes Everything
The shift to a better question does not need to be loud. In fact, it is often quiet, internal & intentional.
But the thing about this change is that it creates a ripple effect on culture, performance & retention. It allows you to start focusing on the root causes instead of just addressing the symptoms.
And that’s the heart of leadership that lasts.
If you are going through a season of decision-making, problem-solving, or just overload, I challenge you to take a step back and ask yourself:
What’s the question I have not been asking?
The answer might surprise you, but the question is what will change everything.
About Colin Potts
Colin Potts is the Chief Operating Officer at Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (ROSM), where he has been instrumental in the company’s growth from one clinic to nine, with a team of nineteen providers. With over thirteen years in regenerative medicine, Colin has led key initiatives such as the launch of the Regenerative Pelvic Institute and Regenerative Aesthetics & Cosmetic Medicine.
He also oversees new clinic sites, architectural design, and project management. Colin’s diverse background includes executive roles at Veterinary Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and Metro Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. He is passionate about giving back, serving on several boards, including the Amputee Coalition Peer Visitor Committee, and earning recognition for his volunteer work with organizations like the DC Divas and Adventist HealthCare.