3 Questions that Changed a CEO’s Life 🙋‍♂️

Each month, The Yo Pro features experienced leaders as Guest Writers to share wisdom and equip the next generation.

As we close out July 2025, enjoy story and insights from David Roth, who has over 35 years of experience as a husband, father, and executive— you're in for a treat!

I am an Arkansas native who lived and worked in San Francisco, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C., before moving back to this beloved Northwest Arkansas in 1999. I was privileged to work at four great companies — McKesson (HBA/Pharma), American Software and Manugistics (supply chain management software), and JB Hunt Transport (transportation). 

My career underwent a significant shift when I became an entrepreneur in 2003, founding Workmatters, an organization dedicated to helping leaders integrate their faith and work. 

After 20 invigorating and purposeful years, I recently retired from Workmatters to focus on the next season of my life. I am going deeper with God, my amazing wife and best friend for 34 years, Theresa, our kids, and my close friends & family.

I'm also loving investing time in next-generation leaders to help them grow. With the benefit of time, wisdom, and hindsight, there are so many things I would like to have done better and earlier in my life. I hope that those experiences and lessons can be used to help leaders learn and grow earlier in their lives!

I'm honored to have the opportunity to share these ideas today with this Yo Pro audience!

I'm an extrovert and often, a verbal processor. Over the years in my work, my marriage, and even with friends, I found myself more frequently than I want to admit, frustrating people around me because of my impulsive communications. In some cases, it was downright hurtful.

How about you? 

How many times a week do you say something you regret?

How often do you say something that you should regret, but don't even realize it?

Think about all the different people you communicate with daily. At work, it could be your boss, a peer, someone serving on your team, or a customer. At home, it's your roommate, or your spouse, or your son or daughter. Of course, there are your friends, perhaps a mentee/mentor? 

Several years ago, a close friend and mentor shared three very practical questions with me, and they changed my life! I didn't recognize it at the time, but I needed some simple, practical guidelines to help me filter my communication with others. 

These three questions below helped me avoid unnecessary conflict and enhance the outcomes I was hoping for. They are a powerful communication filter to promote wisdom, restraint, and emotional maturity.

1. Does it need to be said?      

2. Does it need to be said by me?      

3. Does it need to be said now?      

These three simple, but powerful questions, when learned and quickly used in conversations, can change your life, your relationships, and your work!

Now obviously, these three questions don't need to be used every time you open your mouth. But you can learn over time (as I did) when you need to use them. You will be amazed how quickly you can process them before speaking and have them shape your communication approach.

So, here is how it works sequentially:

1. Does it need to be said?  ➞   If yes, proceed. If no, stop!

2. Does it need to be said by me?  ➞  If yes, proceed. If no, stop!

3. Does it need to be said now?  ➞   If yes, go for it! If no, stop!

Let’s dig a little deeper to explore the meaning and importance of each of these questions.

This question invites discernment. Before speaking, it’s worth asking yourself if this comment is constructive, useful, or necessary in this moment. Or am I just venting, gossiping, or criticizing?

Not everything we think needs to be verbalized (especially for us verbal processors). This question helps filter out unnecessary or harmful speech, leading to more intentional and respectful conversations.

The Bible has hundreds of references regarding our mouths and speech. I love this one for the last seven words — “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29, NIV)

This asks whether you are the right person to speak on this topic. Is someone else more qualified or perhaps more relationally positioned to say this?

Sometimes we speak because of ego or a need for control. Perhaps humility is needed in this moment - or silence might be more appropriate.

This is about timing and emotional readiness. Is this the right moment for this person to hear what I have to say? Are we both in a place to have a fruitful conversation?

Even the right words from the right person can fall flat — or do damage — if said at the wrong time. This question requires patience and emotional intelligence to determine if now is the time for this conversation.

There is, in fact — “a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7, NIV).

I began by sharing with you my struggles over the years with my mouth. But I believe it is something we all wrestle with as we grow and mature. My heart is for you to learn these lessons NOW, not later in your life, as I did.

I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to share this life experience and wisdom with you. I trust it will truly impact your life!

If there is anything I can do to help you, I would love to connect with you.

• Email me here — [email protected]

• Shoot me a message on LinkedIn

Always growing,

David Roth

As always, let us know how we can help you navigate your world as you navigate the world.

In Your Corner.

See you next Tuesday!