Leading questions can indeed prompt specific responses and can sometimes steer the discussion toward a particular viewpoint. However, they may not foster genuine dialogue or exploration of different perspectives. Instead, they can create bias and limit the openness of the discussion, as they often suggest a preferred answer.
For instance, asking, "Don't you think that this solution is the best?" suggests that the questioner has a particular answer in mind, which might discourage other participants from sharing their views.
In contrast, clarification questions ask participants to expand on their thoughts without implying any agenda, making them more effective for open and productive discussions.
That said, both leading questions and clarification questions can play roles in discussions, but they serve different purposes. If your goal is to generate exploration and understanding, clarification questions are more conducive to effective discussions. If you’re trying to guide the conversation in a certain direction, then leading questions might be used—but they carry the risk of not encouraging a free exchange of ideas.