Asking "Why?" and "And then what?"

You learn at an early age that "Why?" can be a very intimidating question.

"Why did you do that?" is such a classic parental query/inquisition that even when asked years later, the question can propel you back to the days when the dog was let loose or a ball shattered a glass window.

On the other hand, "Why?" can be a very helpful question in the workplace. "Why is it done that way?" and "Why did we decide to launch this?" are examples of "Why" questions that can be very revealing. The reason is so many actions are based on huge assumptions such as:

• All of my colleagues think this is wise;


• Every business does this;


• If we don't do this, a competitor will;


• Not doing so will offend someone important; and the all time favorite,


• It's always been done that way.

The second helpful question is "And then what?" Once we have achieved the goal, then what do we do? And once that follow-up action is taken, just what follows the follow-up?

Asking "And then what?" can make you very unpopular with people who attach mystical qualities to certain actions and who tend to regard their proposals as magical solutions. The question recognizes, however, that all solutions bring forth their own problems and as much as we may try to anticipate those problems, the reality of unintended consequences will always kick in.

"Why?" and "And then what?" are curmudgeon questions, but any decent decision making process needs a good curmudgeon or two.