In this episode of The Pharma Medic Podcast, the focus is on how great leaders aren’t those with all the answers but those who ask the right questions. Inspired by David Marquet, a former U.S. Navy submarine commander featured on Coaching for Leaders, the discussion breaks down seven transformational questions that help shift teams from passive followers to proactive leaders.

Leadership Isn’t Instant—It’s Built Through Smart Followership

There’s a common misconception that leadership is about taking charge, making decisions, and giving orders. In reality, the best leaders first learn how to be great followers—those who challenge ideas, think critically, and take ownership.

David Marquet’s leadership transformation on the USS Santa Fe wasn’t about commanding his crew—it was about changing the way they communicated. He didn’t rely on authority; he created an environment where everyone took responsibility for their decisions.

This shift from a leader-follower model to a leader-leader model is crucial in any industry, including Medical Affairs, where decisions affect not just business outcomes but also scientific accuracy and patient care. The ability to ask better, more empowering questions can completely transform team dynamics and decision-making.

Why Questions Matter More Than Answers

Hesitation can be one of the biggest blockers to progress. Many have been in meetings where a bad idea is floating around, but no one speaks up. Or, on the other side, where someone sees a potential issue but doesn’t feel confident enough to challenge it.

Great teams don’t function on blind agreement—they thrive on critical thinking, discussion, and shared leadership. That’s why the right questions are often more important than the right answers.

This episode explores seven powerful questions that turn passive followers into proactive leaders.

1. Ask one question at a time—avoid overwhelming people with question stacking.

2. Use questions to learn, not to teach—invite new perspectives instead of reinforcing personal beliefs.

3. Make sure your questions are neutral—don’t lead people toward a preferred answer.

4. Instead of yes/no questions, start with “what” or “how”—this encourages deeper discussions.

5. Swap out “why” for “tell me more”—this creates trust instead of defensiveness.

6. Avoid self-affirming questions—seek real insights rather than just validation.

7. Base discussions on what is known—use past experiences to inform future decisions.

Instead of striving to have all the answers, focus on creating an environment where the best answers can emerge. That’s what real leadership is about.

As always, keep learning, keep leading, and stay curious.