Comments on: The One Question Every Successful Leader Must Answer (Even Before It Is Asked) http://www.terrystarbucker.com/2010/02/08/the-one-question-every-successful-leader-must-answer-even-before-it-is-asked/ Ramblings From a Glass Half Full Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:07:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Michael Zakem http://www.terrystarbucker.com/2010/02/08/the-one-question-every-successful-leader-must-answer-even-before-it-is-asked/comment-page-1/#comment-4020 Michael Zakem Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:26:53 +0000 http://www.terrystarbucker.com/?p=1704#comment-4020 I agree. "Why" is the is the objectives, goals, and perspective. This should be the start point for teams, and the basis for decisions throughout and after the project. I agree. “Why” is the is the objectives, goals, and perspective. This should be the start point for teams, and the basis for decisions throughout and after the project.

]]> By: Bradley J. Moore http://www.terrystarbucker.com/2010/02/08/the-one-question-every-successful-leader-must-answer-even-before-it-is-asked/comment-page-1/#comment-4018 Bradley J. Moore Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:28:34 +0000 http://www.terrystarbucker.com/?p=1704#comment-4018 I think you get right to the heart of the issue, which is purpose. Everyone who works for us in the organization wants and needs purpose for what they do. It's human nature to look for significance. Answering "Why" for a work-project may not turn the team on fire, but at least it gives them the dignity deserved for the importance of the work that they are doing. I think you get right to the heart of the issue, which is purpose. Everyone who works for us in the organization wants and needs purpose for what they do. It’s human nature to look for significance. Answering “Why” for a work-project may not turn the team on fire, but at least it gives them the dignity deserved for the importance of the work that they are doing.

]]> By: Darrin J http://www.terrystarbucker.com/2010/02/08/the-one-question-every-successful-leader-must-answer-even-before-it-is-asked/comment-page-1/#comment-4009 Darrin J Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:27:49 +0000 http://www.terrystarbucker.com/?p=1704#comment-4009 As a product manager I have found probing for and answering the why questions created a much more positive team environment and in many cases led to completing things faster. When everyone has context for their piece in the solution, there is that sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes with completing it - it's about showing how the contribution provides value, because that is what we all really want. To know that we provide value. Great post! Very much enjoyed it. As a product manager I have found probing for and answering the why questions created a much more positive team environment and in many cases led to completing things faster. When everyone has context for their piece in the solution, there is that sense of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes with completing it – it’s about showing how the contribution provides value, because that is what we all really want. To know that we provide value.

Great post! Very much enjoyed it.

]]> By: Kit Stookey http://www.terrystarbucker.com/2010/02/08/the-one-question-every-successful-leader-must-answer-even-before-it-is-asked/comment-page-1/#comment-4008 Kit Stookey Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:57:50 +0000 http://www.terrystarbucker.com/?p=1704#comment-4008 "Why" is precisely the question to ask past symptoms of an issue and get to the underlying causes of problems and issues. Remember we're not looking for someone to blame, but rather to deal with the issues that are uncovered. "Why" is the best way to get started. Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? “Why” is precisely the question to ask past symptoms of an issue and get to the underlying causes of problems and issues. Remember we’re not looking for someone to blame, but rather to deal with the issues that are uncovered. “Why” is the best way to get started. Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

]]> By: Anne Wayman http://www.terrystarbucker.com/2010/02/08/the-one-question-every-successful-leader-must-answer-even-before-it-is-asked/comment-page-1/#comment-4006 Anne Wayman Wed, 10 Feb 2010 22:17:08 +0000 http://www.terrystarbucker.com/?p=1704#comment-4006 Hmmm... why works in writing too. I always ask my ghostwriting clients why they want me to write their book and why they want a book written. Same thing is true for deadlines... why do you want it then? Along with other questions why is certainly a good one. Hmmm… why works in writing too. I always ask my ghostwriting clients why they want me to write their book and why they want a book written. Same thing is true for deadlines… why do you want it then?

Along with other questions why is certainly a good one.

]]> By: Chris Taylor http://www.terrystarbucker.com/2010/02/08/the-one-question-every-successful-leader-must-answer-even-before-it-is-asked/comment-page-1/#comment-4004 Chris Taylor Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:04:14 +0000 http://www.terrystarbucker.com/?p=1704#comment-4004 Great point to highlight, Terry, thanks! The question of Why is a crucial one, and yet it disappointingly is missed in many businesses today. If you haven't read it yet, Simon Sinek wrote a book on the subject. Simon's book is brilliant, and definitely worth checking out. I wrote an article on the book here, should you be looking for a starting point: bit.ly/55hJZi Great point to highlight, Terry, thanks!
The question of Why is a crucial one, and yet it disappointingly is missed in many businesses today.

If you haven’t read it yet, Simon Sinek wrote a book on the subject. Simon’s book is brilliant, and definitely worth checking out. I wrote an article on the book here, should you be looking for a starting point: bit.ly/55hJZi

]]> By: Starbucker http://www.terrystarbucker.com/2010/02/08/the-one-question-every-successful-leader-must-answer-even-before-it-is-asked/comment-page-1/#comment-4003 Starbucker Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:34:52 +0000 http://www.terrystarbucker.com/?p=1704#comment-4003 Thanks Ben, Nathan, Bob, Roberta and Anthony for your comments! Ben, I'm glad you mentioned the "fear factor" here- a lot of people are afraid to ask "why". Once that fear is conquered, then real success can be obtained. Nathan, same point to you in mentioning fear - and I'm intrigued by your statement about how military leaders fear asking "why". Are they afraid to hear the answer? Bob, great job of pointing out the fine line at work when it comes to the "why" question; thanks! Roberta, thanks for sharing your link! I guess great minds do think alike. :-) (I will RT it as well) Anthony, you are spot on - we are so "in a hurry" sometimes; we have to stop and learn from the answers from those "whys"! Thanks again to you all, and all the best! Terry Thanks Ben, Nathan, Bob, Roberta and Anthony for your comments!

Ben, I’m glad you mentioned the “fear factor” here- a lot of people are afraid to ask “why”. Once that fear is conquered, then real success can be obtained.

Nathan, same point to you in mentioning fear – and I’m intrigued by your statement about how military leaders fear asking “why”. Are they afraid to hear the answer?

Bob, great job of pointing out the fine line at work when it comes to the “why” question; thanks!

Roberta, thanks for sharing your link! I guess great minds do think alike. :-) (I will RT it as well)

Anthony, you are spot on – we are so “in a hurry” sometimes; we have to stop and learn from the answers from those “whys”!

Thanks again to you all, and all the best!
Terry

]]> By: Anthony http://www.terrystarbucker.com/2010/02/08/the-one-question-every-successful-leader-must-answer-even-before-it-is-asked/comment-page-1/#comment-4002 Anthony Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:31:23 +0000 http://www.terrystarbucker.com/?p=1704#comment-4002 Good point. "Why" relates to strategy while "how" or "what" tend to focus on tactics. Too often we jump between objective and tactics without understanding why we will be successful (or weren't.) Good point. “Why” relates to strategy while “how” or “what” tend to focus on tactics. Too often we jump between objective and tactics without understanding why we will be successful (or weren’t.)

]]> By: Roberta Hill http://www.terrystarbucker.com/2010/02/08/the-one-question-every-successful-leader-must-answer-even-before-it-is-asked/comment-page-1/#comment-4001 Roberta Hill Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:10:37 +0000 http://www.terrystarbucker.com/?p=1704#comment-4001 Terry, I couldn't agree with you more. In fact, I uploaded my own post on this topic yesterday. "When did the words “I” and “Why” become so bad?" http://www.eclecticchange.com/2010/02/when-did-the-words-i-and-why-become-so-bad/(Honest, I hadn't read yours. Must be great minds thinking alike.) Leaders (and followers) need to reclaim "Why". Terry, I couldn’t agree with you more. In fact, I uploaded my own post on this topic yesterday. “When did the words “I” and “Why” become so bad?” http://www.eclecticchange.com/2010/02/when-did-the-words-i-and-why-become-so-bad/(Honest, I hadn’t read yours. Must be great minds thinking alike.)

Leaders (and followers) need to reclaim “Why”.

]]> By: Bob http://www.terrystarbucker.com/2010/02/08/the-one-question-every-successful-leader-must-answer-even-before-it-is-asked/comment-page-1/#comment-4000 Bob Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:49:34 +0000 http://www.terrystarbucker.com/?p=1704#comment-4000 The human assignment of causation is weak at best but as you point out a necessary step even when our view of caustion is wrong. Causation becomes blame if not monitored carefully. The greatest strength of the human intellect is the ability to ask why. The greatest weakness is the need to. (personal observation) The human assignment of causation is weak at best but as you point out a necessary step even when our view of caustion is wrong.

Causation becomes blame if not monitored carefully.

The greatest strength of the human intellect is the ability to ask why. The greatest weakness is the need to. (personal observation)

]]>