Why ask why?

The word why is one of the most important questions you can ask your employees, customers, and colleagues. Asked in a calm, curious tone you are communicating that you want to understand something or someone further - that you are open to a different perspective or way of doing something.  And this is how you get to the bottom of things.

Why did you do that?

When you are unsure of how to respond to a situation, try asking why. Asking why will give you an explanation that you can use to make decisions.  It helps uncover misunderstanding and gives you insight to the other party's motivation.

Why do you need to know that? 

Although it can feel awkward to ask, it is sometimes important to understand why someone is requesting certain information from you - especially if it is information you are not volunteering or if it is not relevant to a project. At times, it can be important to protect confidentiality and establish boundaries.

Why do you think that?

Personal growth is often found in challenging our own opinions.  Be open to what you might learn from someone who feels differently than you.  This is particularly true when working with your team members. They often see your business through a particular perspective, and their feedback is valuable.

Why do you feel that way?  

It is easy to forget to consider how our actions and words can be perceived.  This is especially true when you are discussing conceptual ideas or when you are communicating via email or text.  Conceptual ideas can be interpreted differently because there is nothing tangible to which you can point or demonstrate.  Email and text do not accommodate tone of voice and often create misunderstanding.   

Why is this important?

You may feel that someone is wasting time on a task.  But maybe there is more complexity or importance in the task than you originally considered.  There is only one way to find out.  

Why can't I _____?

Asking why in this context will unleash your creativity.  Wherever you find a why like this, you will usually find an idea. Why can't I buy milk, meat, and bread in one place?  Hello supermarkets.  Why can't I get from my house to yours more quickly?  Hello Ford.  

You get my point.  Without understanding why, it is easy to assume the worst in a situation and to overlook important information or ideas.  

While asking questions often comes easy for small children, for some adults it is more difficult.  You may worry that it will put you in a vulnerable position or that you will lose respect for not knowing the answer.  You may also not want to make things feel awkward.  But this is a high cost for missing important information.   

Beware that the only way to benefit from asking why is to be open and to listen to what the other party is saying.  If you are not, there is no point in asking.

Thank you to my advisor, Michael, for teaching me this lesson as a response to my why.