Background:

This is part of the Quought for the Day – 2008 Series.

Quought = Question that provokes thought!

The question I asked thought leaders and my very smart friends is:

What is ONE question that you wish someone had asked you when you were young? And, Why?

I will be posting answers (which will be Quoughts) one by one.This one is from Erika Andersen

Since 1980, Erika Andersen has developed a reputation for creating learning and change processes and programs uniquely tailored to her clients’ challenges, goals, and culture. She and her colleagues at Proteus International offer practical methods and skills for individuals, teams, and companies to clarify and then achieve their hoped-for-future.

Much of her recent work has focused on organizational visioning and strategy, executive coaching, and management and leadership development. In these capacities she has served as consultant and advisor to the CEOs and top executives of a number of corporations, including MTV Networks, Hewitt Associates, Turner Broadcasting, Molson Coors Brewing, NBC Universal, Union Square Hospitality Group, and Comcast Corporation.

Erika’s Quought:

The question I wish someone had asked me, and one that I ask other people very often, is “So, relative to this challenge you’re facing – what’s your hoped-for future?”

Erika’s reason for the choice of this Quought:

I find (and would have found) this question so valuable because it redirects your attention to envisioning the reality you want to create yourself. Once you’re clear on where you really want to be, you’re much more likely to be able to focus on those core directional efforts that will best move you toward that desired outcome!

More about Erika:

1. Blog: The Simplest Thing That Works

2. Book: Growing Great Employees

3. Company: Proteus International