the WHY question...

During the course of this very short week, many conversations, incidents and issues I had encountered reinforced my mental model on the importance of being "purposeful" in everything we do.


Very often, when we approach a problem or a challenge, we will always jump into the solution mode. We will start asking questions on "WHAT" we need to do to solve the problem. We don't usually think about the "PURPOSE" or objective we hope to achieve - the 'WHY' question. As they saying goes, once you know the WHY, the HOW will be easy.



My key takeaway this week is...

• Always start with the WHY question- your purpose or objective.
• Then you go to the HOW question- your possible strategies.
• And finally, your WHAT question - ways to execute your strategies.

I also felt that this sequence of communication is very powerful, especially if you are in a leadership position. Please allow me to explain.

My mental models on this thinking are,

1. People buy into your WHY and not your WHAT or HOW; and
2. The capacity and potential of the people you lead is so much more that you think. So have faith in them to sort out the how once they are clear of the why.

So if leaders are able to clarify and connect his people to the WHY. You can almost be assured that the people you lead will sort out the WHAT and the HOW. Therefore, when you communicate, always start with

• WHY you are doing this?
• WHY the team needs to work on this?
• WHY this project is important and key? etc

Always clarify your "end" in mind. Once your people buy into your WHY (Purpose), the HOW and the WHAT becomes easier.

So, WHY are you reading this? and WHAT are you going to do about this?


picture source: photobucket