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 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.

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