When my marketing team suggested I contribute an article on LinkedIn, my immediate question was, “Why?” It wasn’t that I was opposed to sharing content, but I genuinely needed to understand the purpose behind the request. This wasn’t intended to challenge or frustrate them, but rather to ensure clarity from the outset. Through a series of “but why” questions, I might have inadvertently tested their patience, yet this process became incredibly illuminating. It underscored a fundamental principle: without first understanding the “why,” the intended outcome remains hazy.
This experience sparked a deeper reflection. How often are we asked to perform tasks without a clear grasp of the underlying purpose? Or, perhaps we inquire about the “why,” but receive an answer that lacks substance, yet we proceed anyway. In such instances, how often do we truly achieve success? This pursuit of purpose, this fundamental need to understand “why,” is not a novel concept.
Think about toddlers. Their journey of discovery is paved with endless “why” questions. As they explore the world, “why” is their constant companion. Many of us recall those moments of parental exhaustion, fielding relentless “but why” queries, even after what we believed were comprehensive explanations. In retrospect, we often realize our adult logic didn’t quite address the child’s core question, hence the persistent inquiry. And haven’t we all, as parents, occasionally ended these conversations, perhaps because we struggled to articulate “the why” or to comprehend why our child wasn’t satisfied with our answers?
This innate curiosity, this drive to understand “why,” is not just a phase of childhood; it’s a foundational element for success, especially in the professional world. In business, It Starts With Why. Why is this initiative important? Why are we dedicating resources to this project? Why should individuals invest their time and energy? What is the overarching purpose? If the “why” remains ambiguous, the purpose, objective, and ultimate goal become unclear, significantly hindering the path to success. Clarity of purpose, driven by a strong “why,” is the bedrock of any successful endeavor.
Therefore, I propose a challenge. The next time you or your team are asked, “Why are we doing this?”, reflect on those “why” conversations with the children in your lives. Consider the insights gained from those exchanges and apply them to your business approach. Embrace the power of purpose. Remember, it starts with why.
