Do you know the power of “why?”

That little 3 letter word is powerful beyond imagination.

Why? what? how?

What do you mean ?

Why? what? how?

What is this all about?

Do you know the power of “Why?”

When you are aimless, then finding your “why?” can be very helpful to get you back on track.

However, it is not something that we would naturally look to do. We don’t ask each other “what is your “why” ” when someone says they are stuck or having problems. The power of “why” needs to be grasped and utilised.

In his TED talk Simon Sinek explained succinctly that we need to find the “Why?” first then “how” and then the “what”. (Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action | TED Talk )

The Power of “Why?”

In his own words “As it turns out, all the great inspiring leaders and organizations in the world, whether it’s Apple or Martin Luther King or the Wright brothers, they all think, act and communicate the exact same way. And it’s the complete opposite to everyone else. All I did was codify it, and it’s probably the world’s simplest idea. I call it the golden circle.”

We tend to get stuck in the “what”- the action part of things and do not consider that what is driving us all is the “why?”. You can think of them as 3 concentric circles with the “why” at the very heart of the first ring; the “how?” in the next ring and then in outer ring the “what?”.

Its all Biology.

Yes, its all to do with biology. The neocortex is the area where the “what” resides. The neocortex is responsible for all of our rational and analytical thought and language. The middle two sections make up our limbic brains, and our limbic brains are responsible for all of our feelings, like trust and loyalty. It’s also responsible for all human behavior, all decision-making, and it has no capacity for language.

In other words, when we communicate from the outside in, yes, people can understand vast amounts of complicated information, like features and benefits and facts and figures. It just doesn’t drive behaviour. When we can communicate from the inside out, we’re talking directly to the part of the brain that controls behaviour, and then we allow people to rationalize it with the tangible things we say and do. 

This is where gut decisions come from. Sometimes you can give somebody all the facts and figures, and they say, “I know what all the facts and details say, but it just doesn’t feel right.” Why would we use that verb, it doesn’t “feel” right? Because the part of the brain that controls decision-making doesn’t control language. The best we can muster up is, “I don’t know. It just doesn’t feel right.” Or sometimes you say you’re leading with your heart or soul.  However, these aren’t other body parts controlling your behaviour. It’s all happening here in your limbic brain, the part of the brain that controls decision-making and not language.

So in order to get where we want to go, we need a strong “why?”. Not only will it motivate ourselves to do something but it will also inspire others to help you/ join you in your endeavour. And who would not like a bit of help? So my question still stands- do you know the power of “why?” in your life?

What are your powerful “Whys?”

Do you know the power of your “whys?”?

Can you easily see the “whys” in your work and personal life?

Are there strong “whys” for going to work, family, friends and hobbies?

Do you try the “what” approach and find its not working for you?

If so, come and have a Power Hour with me at The Professionals Coach and see if we can get some strong “whys” for your life and start building the life you want.