But why? But why? But why?
My two year old is going through the dreaded "why?" Phase. I know, frustrating.
Such a simple question but essential to help him better understand his environment and how the world works.
This recently got me thinking. The same obviously applies in business. How often do we jump to quick conclusions and possible solutions without truly understanding the key issues or root cause of a problem?
We are all really busy and eager to find a quick solution to often more complex situations. To add to this, information we base our assumptions and decisions around is often presented to us with an element of bias or with an agenda. As a result, decision making becomes more of an art rather than a science.
A quick lesson from my two year old son..... ask "why?" more often. More importantly just keep asking "why?" until you know what is actually going on!!!
It's a simple and quick approach that cuts through the spiel.
Try it. You will be surprised at what you find out and how much better your decision making becomes. I was!
CIO | Programme Director | Change & Transformation with a penchant for resolving the challenges that "nobody else wants to touch with a bargepole"
7 年Thanks David-I remember this phase only too well but agree it can actually be very useful in business. In the world of IT Service management, a common role is that of ‘Problem Manager’. Without going in to too much detail, this person is tasked with identifying patterns of repeat Incidents (e.g. The xyz system isn’t working yet again), working out the underlying cause and putting steps in place to ensure the problem is addressed with a long term fix rather than a short term sticking plaster (e.g. have you tried switching it off and on again?). In my experience the 5 Whys technique developed at Toyota is invaluable for this kind of work and works equally well within other business functions.
Reading the comments I agree, we must encourage people to ask why but must also be prepared to deal with the response when we get it. I have been working through a lot of root cause workshops lately and have discovered some great items that we can learn from. Pointless if we do nothing with it though.......
Associate Tutor, Alliance Manchester Business School, Local Magistrate on the Central and North Wales Bench. Passionate about system-wide leadership and social justice.
7 年Why have successive Governments taken the decision to disinvest in health and social care and then act shocked that the whole system is about to implode? Let's keep asking 'why' until we get the truth! Sorry - hmm- how long have we got??
Business & Transformation Leader, FMCG & ESG Consultant, Solar, Electric Vehicle Adoption / Charging, and Net Zero Director
8 年David a great point. I have three kids and am constantly amazed at how often they ask really great questions. Questions that I had a fixed rather than open mindset about. However I have found as well as kids people lower down the work hierarchy also do the same as long as you have an organisation climate that support this. The value of this I have found to be enormous. Thanks for refreshing this connection in my mind David.
Executive and team coach, NED
8 年I like your thinking David. The other comments raise an interesting challenge tho' Why? Can have the effect of causing an individual to justify or challenge back when there is no rapport. In the toxic leader or frustrated parent the response can be " cos I said so now do it!" As a coach, I find why works well when I want the individual to justify their thinking. More often i find what ? Is less threatening and gets even better responses. Eg. What is the reason for that? / what is the cause? What is the thinking behind that strategy/ structure/process/ behaviour etc. It tends to focus the response on the cause not the defence of a particular subject. Hope it helps Stephen Munton.