EP142: The Magic of 'WHY' as a Leadership Tool
THREE SIMPLE LETTERS…
…hold so much power
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In the world of leadership, sometimes the most powerful tools are the simplest. One such tool is the three-letter word: WHY. These three letters carry immense power, guiding us through decision-making, problem-solving, and connecting with purpose. When used thoughtfully, WHY can be a transformative force, helping leaders and teams achieve clarity, motivation, and results.
Why 'WHY' Matters in Leadership
Recently, I facilitated a leadership development program for a group of nearly 30 leaders, and the importance of WHY surfaced over and over again. We often assume that WHY is only a question reserved for decision-making, but it’s so much more than that—it’s a leadership tool that fosters curiosity, drives deep understanding, and ultimately leads to better results.
Here are a few ways WHY can serve as a leadership tool:
Problem-Solving: Asking “why” allows us to dig deeper, ensuring we’re working on the right problem, not just the symptoms.
Uncovering Motivations: Understanding why someone acts a certain way provides valuable insight into what drives them.
Creating Buy-In: When people understand the reason behind decisions, they are more likely to feel empowered and invested.
Clarity: WHY leads to clarity—on the goals we set, the challenges we face, and the steps needed to move forward.
Reflection: It allows us to pause, reflect, and align with our purpose, both individually and as a team.
The beauty of WHY is that it applies on every level—whether you’re leading yourself, an individual team member, or an entire organization. However, effective use of WHY requires a foundational leadership skill: curiosity.
Curiosity as the Key to Unlocking the Power of WHY
Curiosity fuels our ability to ask WHY effectively. It’s a desire to know more, to dig beneath the surface and find deeper truths. As leaders, curiosity is a skill that can be cultivated, and it’s worth investing time in building this muscle. By continuously asking WHY, we create space for reflection, understanding, and growth.
One method I love is the Five Whys technique, where you ask “why” multiple times—often five, but sometimes more or less—to dig to the root cause of a problem. For example, I shared a story with the leaders I recently worked with about the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., where excessive power washing was deteriorating the stone. By asking WHY several times, they discovered that the problem wasn’t just about bird droppings but about the lighting schedule, which attracted insects, which attracted spiders, which attracted birds. Once they identified the root cause (the lighting), they could implement a solution that saved both the building and money.
This is just one example of how the power of WHY can lead to more effective problem-solving.
Knowing Your Own WHY
In leadership, it’s also critical to know your own WHY. Why are you in this role? What is your purpose? Understanding this can keep you grounded, especially when challenges arise or you’re being pulled in multiple directions.
For leaders, connecting with your WHY is an essential tool for resilience and clarity. It helps guide decision-making, allows for more intentional work, and can even help in saying NO to things that are not aligned with your values or goals.
Why As a Tool for Change
One of the most powerful uses of WHY is during times of change. Change is inevitable, and it’s often met with resistance. By explaining the WHY behind a change—why it’s happening, why it’s necessary—you can help ease concerns, build trust, and gain buy-in from your team. The depth of WHY needed can vary from person to person; some will want a high-level explanation, while others will need to go deeper into the details to fully understand the impact.
By being mindful of different needs and providing the right level of detail, leaders can use WHY to guide their teams through transitions with clarity and confidence.
Reflecting on WHY in Success and Challenges
The power of WHY isn’t just about solving problems; it’s also a tool for reflection when things are going well. Often, we forget to ask WHY when we succeed. Understanding WHY something is working allows us to repeat that success. For example, if a team surpasses its sales goals, asking WHY can reveal what worked well, so you can leverage those insights for future success.
On the flip side, when something isn’t working, asking WHY is an essential part of figuring out what needs to change. Sometimes, this leads to uncomfortable truths, like the realization that a lack of belief or self-confidence might be holding someone back. However, getting to that root cause is critical because it allows you to address the real issue, not just the surface symptoms.
Conclusion: The Power of Three Letters
The word WHY is simple, but it holds transformative power. It connects us with our purpose, drives problem-solving, and uncovers the deeper truths that lead to more effective leadership. As leaders, when we tap into the magic of WHY, we empower ourselves and our teams to achieve more, with clarity, purpose, and curiosity.
In your next leadership challenge, pause and ask yourself—or your team—WHY. The answers might just surprise you.
What Do You Think?
Do you use WHY as a leadership tool? In what ways is it effective? How can you use it even more?
Head over to my Instagram account and send me a DM - - let me know what you come up with!
Links
Episode 13: The Magic of Curiosity [in Leadership]
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