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Want results? Make sure you're asking powerful questions

Chatting with a team isn't enough to get results -- you need to prompt action and change by asking them powerful questions that "invite, engage, inspire, motivate, provoke, challenge and encourage," writes leadership expert Dan Rockwell. "Questions create attention. Attention translates to direction," Rockwell says, noting that the goal should be taking positive action.

Put it into practice: Whether the initial question relates to new people, skills or opportunities, your next question should ensure action is pursued, Rockwell of the Leadership Freak website says. His examples include: Where do you intend to adapt today? Who do you intend to connect with today? What opportunity do you intend to seize today?

Powerful Questions Produce Results - Leadership Freak Don’t ask powerful questions if you want a team of mindless zombies. Questions create attention. Attention translates to direction. What do you want your team thinking about? 5 powerful questions you can ask today.

Foster accountability to create a "No excuses" zone

If you want your team members to be accountable, instead of making excuses when things go wrong, be sure they know what's expected of them, involve them in decision-making and reward them for their excellence, writes author and leadership expert Frank Sonnenberg. "People stop trying when there's no benefit for being exceptional and no consequence for being mediocre," Sonnenberg notes.

Put it into practice: Foster a sense of accountability by consistently giving your team constructive feedback, challenging any unwanted behavior and constantly evaluating their progress and successes, Sonnenberg suggests. "Indicate how success will be measured, or folks will define it for themselves."

The Rise of Excuses and the Decline of Accountability Have you observed a surge in excuses coupled with a diminishing sense of accountability? Here are 15 factors that contribute to this decline.