Think about it. We often wonder about why things are the way they are, and in our own minds, question why they should be that way. But when was the last time you asked why? I mean really asked?
Consciously and out loud.
About something important.
Of someone in a position to give an answer.
Of someone accountable.
And insisted on an answer.
I know I don’t do it enough. Apparently a number of folks on Wall Street, in country clubs, and in the offices of federal agencies haven’t been doing it enough either. It’s not polite. You might look stupid. The answer could be messy, could hurt people, could take up a lot of time.
Every toddler knows instinctively that learning and knowing begin with “Why?” As adults we avoid, repress, ignore, focus on the less troublesome whats and wheres, and even the hows. Most of the time it doesn’t matter all that much, but sometimes the consequences are grave. And it may not always be obvious when those times are.
Food for thought as we begin our year of Change.
Jeff
P.S. – January 8, 2010: The above was written as we entered 2009. I just noticed that Seth Godin has also mused about “Why?” in a post as we enter 2010. Worth clicking over to it if you haven’t read it already. And if you aren’t reading Seth’s blog regularly, all I can do is ask “Why?”No related posts.
posted on January 14, 2009
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