Why Not Start with a Why Not?

Really?

There was a lot of hype about Start with the Why on social media, after the Ted Talk by Simon Sinek, and his book in 2009. I personally have a tough time when peers tend to apply the golden circle in places where it may not be appropriate, for example innovation.

Innovators question more than comment.

I strongly feel that innovators and trendsetters start with a ‘Why Not’ in their hearts. It most likely leads to the ‘Why’ as a form of expression to engage others. Novel solutions come out of asking ‘Why not’ and they get communicated with ‘Why’.

So, I engaged many fellow innovators in a debate of ‘Start with Why’ vs ‘Ask Why Not’ and I was quite encouraged to learn that so many of them have been able to solve tough research problems and customer engagements by coming up with wacky ideas and asking their team “Why not we do …this…?” “Why can’t we try … that …” A good friend Dr. Pavan Suri felt that these may be two sides of the coin and which one comes first is a tossup. Is it?

I also found the following quotes, which further substantiated this.

[Jeff Bezos] The common question that gets asked in business is, 'why?' That's a good question, but an equally valid question is, 'why not?'           -

[George Bernard Shaw] You see things; and you say ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say ‘Why not?’       

[Pablo Picasso] Others have seen what is and asked ‘why’. I have seen what could be and asked ‘why not’.          

[Warren Buffett]  ‘Why not’ invest your assets in the companies you really like?

[Steven Spielberg]  'Why' pay a dollar for a bookmark? ‘Why not’ use the dollar for a bookmark?      

[Russell Wilson] I remember my dad asking me one time, 'Why not you, Russ?' You know, why not me? Why not me in the Super Bowl?         

As a consumer, you go buy the product that gives the best value, not why the business owner is in business in the first place. Apple products sell because of the finesse and performance not because of why Steve Jobs was in business. However, I submit that when business leaders have a strong Why statement, they align the employees on that purpose, and the resulting products and services are excellent, which the consumers flock to, helping the business grow.

Once the purpose is defined and a culture of questioning can be built, the golden circle can have an innovative sibling. Innovative solutions come out of “Why not” and get communicated with “Why” to convince the buyer.

In Summary,

Why not? How about? And what if? define an innovator’s mindset, well suited for exploration. Why-how-what help leaders communicate with followers, a right mindset for exploitation of resources

Call for Action

If you like this blog post, you will like my book “Inspiring Next Innovation Mindset” available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1977227430

If you wish to engage with the author of this book in a conversation, please register for online session scheduled for April 1, 2021 at 9AM EDT (1PM UTC) co-hosted by Nerac at https://www.inspiringnext.com/events/