What Precedes Why

The first interrogative word that a baby typically says or learns to say is often "What". Babies tend to start with basic vocabulary and questions related to their immediate environment and needs. They might use "What" to ask about objects or to express curiosity about things around them.? For example, a baby might say "What's that?" when pointing to an object or when trying to understand what someone is showing them. As they develop their language skills, they gradually learn to use other interrogative words like "Where, “Who"”, “Why”, "When" and "How" to ask more complex questions and explore the world around them.

Why does Simon Sinek from his book “Start with why” say it all starts with why?

Simon Sinek, in his book "Start with Why," suggests that "Why" is a fundamental question for individuals and organizations to address when defining their purpose and mission. Sinek's book explores the concept of the "Golden Circle," which consists of three levels: "Why," "How," and "What." Here's a brief explanation of each:

Why: This innermost circle represents the core purpose or belief of an individual or organization. It's about understanding and articulating the reason why you exist, your values, and the greater cause you're dedicated to. In the context of Sinek's book, "Why" is the starting point because it defines the foundation for everything else.

How: The middle circle represents the specific actions and strategies you take to achieve your "Why." It's about the process and methods you use to fulfill your purpose.

What: The outer circle represents the tangible products, services, or actions that result from your "How." These are the things you do or produce as a result of your actions and strategies.

Sinek's premise is that successful individuals and organizations often start by defining their "Why" (their purpose and beliefs) before moving on to "How" (their strategies) and "What" (their products or services). He argues that understanding and communicating your "Why" can inspire and motivate others, create strong brand loyalty, and lead to greater success and fulfillment.

While this concept is primarily about leadership, marketing, and branding, it can also be applied to personal development. ?Sinek encourages individuals to start with a clear sense of their personal "Why" or purpose in life to guide their decisions, actions, and goals.? So, in the context of Sinek's book, "Start with Why", "Why" comes first because it's the foundational element for understanding and driving motivation and success.

In the context of language development for babies and young children, "What" often comes before other interrogative words like "Why." Babies tend to begin with simple explorative questions related to objects and their immediate surroundings, and "What" questions are a natural starting point as they explore the world.?

In the context of babies exploring the world and their communication skills, "What" questions, often precede "Why" questions. As children grow and develop their language skills, they naturally begin by asking questions about objects, actions and their immediate surroundings, which are captured by "What" questions. These questions help them learn about the world and gather information.

For example:

"What is this?" (referring to an object)

"What are you doing?" (inquiring about an action)

"What's that noise?" (asking about a sound)

As children become more curious and develop a deeper understanding of cause and effect, they may start asking "Why" questions to inquire about reasons or motivations:

"Why is the sky blue?"

"Why do birds fly?"

"Why do we have to go to bed early?"

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So, let us discuss the idea that "What Precedes Why" in the context of child language development and at a contextual level, communication and how it contrasts with Simon Sinek's "Start with Why" concept:

In the fascinating journey of language development, children often embark on a path where "What" precedes "Why." It's a natural progression that stands in contrast to the "Start with Why" philosophy popularized by Simon Sinek in the world of leadership and organizational purpose.

For babies and young children, communication begins with simple "What" questions as they eagerly explore their surroundings. "What's this?" they ask, pointing to an object of curiosity. "What are you doing?" they wonder, as they observe actions in their immediate environment.

These early inquiries are all about understanding the world. ?They're the building blocks of comprehension, helping children make sense of their surroundings, objects and basic cause-and-effect relationships.

Only as they grow and their cognitive abilities mature do they begin to delve into the realm of "Why." ?With a more developed sense of curiosity, they seek explanations, reasons, and motivations. "Why is the sky blue?" "Why do birds fly?" "Why do we have to go to bed early?" These questions reflect their growing awareness of the deeper layers of knowledge.?

This developmental journey illustrates that, in some contexts, "What Precedes Why." It's a reminder that the progression of learning and understanding is a dynamic process, and the sequence of questions can evolve as we explore different facets of life.

Simon Sinek's "Start with Why" is a compelling concept in leadership, emphasizing the importance of purpose and motivation. It's a powerful reminder for us to anchor our actions in a deeper understanding of our mission.

So, as we navigate our personal and professional journeys, let's recognize that our curiosity often begins with "What," and that's perfectly okay. It's a foundation upon which we build our understanding of the "Why" that ultimately fuels our drive and passion.

Every morning, as we wake up, we have an incredible opportunity to nurture curiosity in our children. I would sound odd starting with "Why did you get up today?" try asking, "What do you want to do today?"

In the world of child language development, this simple shift can be profound. "What" questions are the bedrock of early learning. "What's that?" they inquire, pointing at an object. "What are you doing?" they wonder, as they observe the world around them.

These "What" questions ignite exploration. They're the threads of curiosity that lead our little ones on journeys of discovery. ?Only as they grow, with a more developed sense of curiosity, do they begin to delve into the realm of "Why." "Why is the sky blue?" "Why do birds fly?" These questions reflect their evolving awareness of the deeper layers of knowledge, driven by the foundations of "What."

?In this context, "What Precedes Why". ?It's a beautiful reminder that the progression of learning and understanding is a dynamic process. We have the privilege of being their guides on this journey.

So, the "What" questions are the building blocks of curiosity, sparking the flame of exploration in our children's hearts. When they answer, and they eventually will, with a "Why," we'll know they've taken the next step in their quest for knowledge.

Every morning, let's wake up and ask, "What do you want to do today?" It's a question that invites wonder, adventure, and the joy of discovery.

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So how can “What Precedes Why” reshape leadership development?

Reshaping leadership development by incorporating the idea that "What Precedes Why" in the context of child language development can offer valuable insights and perspectives to leadership principles, including Simon Sinek's "Start with Why." ?Here are some ways this concept that “What Precedes Why” can impact leadership development:

1. Embracing Curiosity:

Leaders can encourage curiosity not only in children but also in their teams and organizations. By fostering a culture of asking "What" questions, leaders can stimulate creativity, innovation, and a deeper understanding of challenges and opportunities.

Leaders can encourage curiosity within their teams, much like how children explore the world through "What" questions.

For instance, a leader might encourage team members to ask questions like

"What if we approached this problem from a different angle?" or

"What new opportunities can we explore in our market?"

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1. Foundational Learning:

Just as children build their understanding of the world through "What" questions, leaders can emphasize the importance of foundational learning. Before diving into complex strategies and decisions, leaders can encourage their teams to thoroughly understand the current situation, the "What" of the problem or opportunity.? Just as children start with basic observations and "What" questions, leaders can emphasize the importance of foundational knowledge in decision-making.

For instance, before embarking on a major project, a leader might ask,

"What are the current market trends?" or

"What data do we have to support this strategy?"

1. Empathy and Understanding:

By recognizing the developmental journey from "What" to "Why," leaders can become more empathetic and understanding. They can appreciate that team members may have different levels of curiosity and understanding, and it's essential to meet them where they are in their learning journey.? Leaders can develop empathy by recognizing the developmental journey from "What" to "Why." They can appreciate that team members may have different levels of understanding.

For instance, a leader may acknowledge that team members have varying degrees of experience and might start a conversation with "What's your perspective on this issue?" to better understand their viewpoints.

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1. Effective Communication:

Effective leaders know how to ask the right questions. Starting with "What" questions can help leaders gather information, identify needs, and understand motivations. Once they have a strong foundation of "What," they can then explore the "Why" behind decisions and actions.?

?Leaders can ask the right questions to gather information and understand motivations. Starting with "What" questions can be powerful. For example, a leader might ask, "What challenges are you facing in your role?" before delving into the "Why" behind those challenges and exploring solutions together.

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1. Mission Clarity:

While "Start with Why" emphasizes the importance of a clear purpose, it's crucial for leaders to ensure that their teams understand the "What" of their roles and tasks. When team members grasp the immediate objectives and tasks, they can better align them with the overarching "Why."? While having a clear "Why" is crucial, leaders must ensure that their teams understand the immediate "What" of their roles and tasks.

For instance, a team leader in a non-profit organization might emphasize the importance of daily tasks by saying, "What we do every day directly contributes to our mission of helping those in need."

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1. Adaptability: Recognizing the natural progression from "What" to "Why" can make leaders more adaptable and open to change. Leaders who embrace a learning mindset can appreciate that curiosity and understanding evolve over time, and they can adapt their leadership styles accordingly.? Acknowledging the natural progression from "What" to "Why" can make leaders more adaptable.? Leaders who embrace a learning mindset can appreciate that curiosity and understanding evolve over time.For example, they might encourage team members to continuously ask "What have we learned from our past successes and failures?" to adapt strategies accordingly.

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1. Mentorship: Leaders can take on a mentorship role, guiding their team members through their learning journeys. By acknowledging that "What Precedes Why," leaders can provide the necessary support and guidance as individuals and teams explore deeper layers of understanding.? Leaders can guide team members through their learning journeys by acknowledging that "What Precedes Why." They can provide support and guidance as individuals and teams explore deeper layers of understanding.For instance, a leader might mentor a junior team member by saying, "Let's start with 'What' you want to achieve in your career, and then we can explore the 'Why' behind those aspirations."

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Incorporating the concept of "What Precedes Why" into leadership development underscores the importance of curiosity, foundational knowledge, and effective communication. By encouraging teams to begin with "What" questions, leaders can inspire a culture of continuous learning, adaptability, and empathy. This approach not only complements Simon Sinek's "Start with Why" but also encourages leaders to become purpose-driven, curious, and empathetic guides in their organizations.

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?Is asking “what” questions softer than asking “why: questions?

?Personally, I think it is less confrontational than asking "Why." ?Here's why ??:

1. Openness vs. Defensiveness: When you ask "What," it often invites an open and objective response. It's seen as an inquiry for information or clarification. In contrast, asking "Why" can sometimes be interpreted as a challenge or an attempt to pinpoint blame, which may make people defensive.
2. Less Presumptuous: "What" questions tend to be less assumptive. They allow the person being asked to provide information without assuming they have a particular motive or reason. "Why" questions can imply that there's a specific motivation or rationale behind someone's actions, which might not always be the case.
3. Less Personal: "What" questions are often seen as less personal because they focus on actions, objects, or circumstances. "Why" questions, on the other hand, can be perceived as probing into someone's thoughts or intentions, which can be more personal and potentially uncomfortable.
4. Curiosity vs. Interrogation: "What" questions can convey curiosity and a desire to learn, while "Why" questions can sometimes come across as an interrogation or an attempt to uncover wrongdoing.

For example:

"What are you working on?" vs. "Why are you working on that?"

?"What can we do to improve this process?" vs. "Why did this process fail?"

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In many situations, especially when you want to maintain a positive and open communication style, starting with "What" can be a more effective and less confrontational way to gather information and engage in productive conversations. However, the choice between "What" and "Why" should also consider the context and the nature of the conversation to ensure it aligns with your communication goals.

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The "What Precedes Why" concept is like a key unlocking a door. The key represents the initial information or fact ("What") that is needed to open the door to further inquiries, curiosity and understanding. As you turn the key, it reveals the pathway to the "Why" behind the situation, unlocking deeper knowledge and insight.