Why?
Children are famous for asking why. Why is grass green? Why is the TV on when we eat dinner? Sometimes these simple questions stop us dead in our tracks.
A colleague of mine had a rare attribute – he loved training new employees from the ground up. Why? Because they asked a lot of questions. Why do you do it this way? Why do you do it that way? The “why” questions forced him to articulate the reasons behind his operating procedures. Every once in a while, he would discover he had no reason for a particular operating procedure.
The word “why” leads to discovery, rediscovery, and change. Good business people are fixated on continuous improvement. They always ask why. Curiosity may kill cats, but it brings dying companies back to life.
Have you asked why today? What did you learn about your own business today that will make it better tomorrow?
I love the “why” technique! And, it’s one of the most valuable in consulting, too. I remember reading about it once, and one fellow described it as “thinking like a 5 year old”.
Wouldn’t be all that far a leap for me, come to think of it…
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..What I Learned From… the Generosity of Others
Robert, Maybe we’d all be more effective if we spend a day in kindergarten. Seriously – to be as open and simple as a 5 year old takes work!
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Why – The Most Valuable Word in Business
“Why” is my favorite word. I have been using and abusing the word since I was a little boy (little for real this time
).
Is enjoying training new people really rare? My wife and I both enjoy it, and I guess I never thought of that as being rare. People who are totally new are actually willing to learn.
Luke Gedeons last blog post..Cell Phone Users and Abusers: Texting While Driving
And don’t forget the ever-popular….
Why NOT?
That’s something on which I’m working to teach my kids…whenever you’re told you CAN’T do something, ask…
Why NOT?
The answer might be as simple as “Because mom says…” but it also might make Mom (or whomever) think twice about the request as well.
Data points, Barbara
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Luke, in my former work environment, most folks neither had the time nor inclination to train/coach/mentor new hires in depth. So it could be that my situation was unusual.
Barbara, Excellent point – both questions get to the same good result, and your question reminds me of the expression, “better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission.”
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Why – The Most Valuable Word in Business
Brad,
It’s important to be willing to explain the “why”–even without being asked–since this can foster better working relationships. In my new grant editing gig, I try to be as sensitive as possible to all that the writer has invested in the work, doing my best to explain my reasons for the changes I’ve made or the changes I’ve suggested that the writer make.
I also try to offer various options wherever possible and encourage the writer to provide feedback on my changes and to feel totally free to ask me the rationale for any change or recommendation I make. This has enhanced the writer/editor relationship immensely, and it really isn’t that hard to do. It simply requires the ability to see things through the other person’s eyes and provide the answers you yourself might ask were you in that person’s place.
The willingness to ask or tell other people why can open so many doors–both creative and relational–helping us all do our own jobs better.
Thanks for a great post!
Jeanne
Jeanne, Yet another excellent point! Your comment is a veritable treatise on how to be a successful manager or colleague.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Why – The Most Valuable Word in Business
Thanks, Brad!
I have to confess that as a coach I try and avoid ‘why?’. It tends to throw people on the defensive, wasting energy in explaining the status quo, rather than looking for ways to change it for the better.
“How…” can we achieve this, make this happen, improve this, hit that target… can be a great question to ask to open up possibilities.
I suspect that I’ve probably gone too far in avoiding ‘why’ though. Like you say, it’s a powerful way to shake things up a bit.
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Joanna, How can you ask such questions?
I can see your logic and it makes sense, but am a bit surprised that you find it generally unproductive to explore the current situation before changing it. But I know you get results, so the method obviously works. Perhaps both the “how” and “why” questions have the same purpose – deeper understanding.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Why – The Most Valuable Word in Business
Joanna,
Wonderful point! I love your positive, proactive, “How can we?” approach, because the term “why” can often come across quite negatively. (See my comment to Brad, below.)
Brad,
As an editor, mentor, and coach, I totally understand what Joanna is saying. In these situations, diplomacy is very important, since our creative works contain so much of ourselves. Asking an author why he or she has done something could very easily be (mis)construed as a putdown, a challenge, or a criticism of the value of the author’s work or of his or her ability or judgment, causing defensiveness, tension, and general unpleasantness. So, it’s very important to tread lightly here.
To be sure, there’s a place for the “whys” on the editing/mentoring/coaching side. But, I believe it’s far more important for the mentor/coach to answer the creator’s “whys,” while thinking of other, more sensitive, original (and, yes, creative) ways of drawing out the answers to his or her own “whys.” This is the ideal, of course, and we’ll never do it perfectly. But, we can certainly strive toward the goal of becoming a little more like that ideal every day–a little more skilled at finding out the answers to the “whys” without always using the word.
Great discussion!
Jeanne
I have discovered with certain personality types “why” leads to a dead-end pretty quick. In those cases, “How can we?” or “who is the best person to ask about…?” might be better questions.
I am definitely a why person. If you ask me “how can we?” I will answer that it depends on what our long term goals are – why we are doing it.
I wonder if we could identify people by which question works for them (why, how, when, what, who) kind of like Type A or ENFJ.
Luke Gedeons last blog post..Cell Phone Users and Abusers: Texting While Driving
Joanna, Jeanne, Luke – After reading the last comments from Jeanne, I went to bed pondering how to respond. Then I find this morning that Luke summed it up for me quite well. Like him, I am a Type W. A “why” question from a coach would communicate to me that the person is interested and fully engaged. Another issue that comes into play is personality. Some folks can’t ask “why” questions without having it sound like a police interrogation. At the other extreme, we all know folks who can ask the touchiest “why” question with the utmost gentleness and sympathy and get a positive response.
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It is just amazing how powerful those three little letters can be.
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Brad,
Your blog never sleeps.
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Brad and Luke,
Despite what I’ve said above, I, too, am a “why” person at heart. I always want to know the “whys” and “wherefores” of everything.
And as you say, Brad, it certainly is possible to ask “why” questions in a sensitive and sympathetic manner that doesn’t cause defensiveness but rather helps the other individual explore new possibilities and expand current horizons. Yet, this is a rare skill–one that requires real wisdom, maturity, and empathy. Likely (in those situations where someone’s ego is at stake, at least), most of us would do better to ask more “what” questions, which can often lead us to the “whys.” We can then begin adding a few “what if” questions to lead the other person to new revelations.
In a less volatile emotional atmosphere, though, “whys” can be a fantastic way of getting to the heart of an issue, dissecting, analyzing, and learning from it.
Just a few personal thoughts on a highly subjective topic. Every situation, person, and relationship is different–which is precisely “why” coming up with a universal principle can be so difficult.
I like your idea, Luke, of identifying people by which question works best for them. That would undoubtedly provide real insight into other people’s–as well as our own–personality types and operating styles!
Nice post.. At a times this why seems to be so annoying when asked by children. But in reality this why only has done wonders, just because of this three letter word many discoveries have taken place.
Have you asked why today …that’s a billboard!! What a GREAT Question and sentiment!! I am absolutely sure that I would not be where I am today if I didn’t wonder.
PS check out my new site Brad, the brilliance of mr gedeon I might add.
Karen, The site looks terrific. I love the logo and color scheme. Nice work!
Thanks Brad! I didn’t do this transition on my own, that’s for sure. Had some great help!!