One of the most powerful and most often underutilized tools in a leader’s arsenal is a simple question: “Why?”
Most of us are going through life assigning blame, meaning, and reasons for people’s choices and actions without ever asking why they may be doing something that way, or any understanding of their thinking and motivation. One of our most useful tools is to simply ask why.
If an employee has backslidden on attention to details, ask “why?” If an employee is unwilling to put in an extra 10% effort, ask “why?” If an employee is exceeding expectations without fanfare or calling attention to it, ask “why?”
“Why” gives data. Data creates options for strategies to address opportunities and issues. Options give many paths forward to solutions. Many paths ensure we aren’t limited in our ability to make forward progress. All from one simple, one-word question.
I can almost guarantee you’re underutilizing “why?” With your employees, your kids, your spouse, your co-workers and colleagues, with your customers, and with your noncustomers.
Stephen Covey…seek first to understand. Simon Sinek…start with why. Make “why?” your go-to resource. See what you uncover and what optionality that creates for you. Make “why?” your default.
Why?… “Why not?”
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