Even if you are, you still need to back up your leadership ability with planning, organizing, and controlling. An inspiring leader can sometimes squeeze by with an executive assistant or assistant manager who acts as a strong backup. However, keep in mind that a leader needs enough managerial skills to make effective use of the managerial skills of others. Leaders influence people to follow a course of action through persuasion or example. Ask your tough questions after the warm-up phase of a meeting has been completed.
People respond better to tough questions after they are already moving toward serious thinking.
You might lose the potential good effect of a tough question if it is asked before people are mentally ready to think in depth. It takes a leader a long time to build trust, yet one brief incident of untrustworthy behavior can permanently destroy trust. Leaders are usually allowed a fair share of honest mistakes. In contrast, dishonest mistakes erode leadership effectiveness quickly. You may recall the military leader assigned to a commission on sexual harassment who was later charged with sexual harassment himself.