Time well spent – getting the why question answered

time well spent

Today I have been talking to a European regional HQ of one of the worlds largest food companies. In talking to their Organizational Development people it seemed clear that their interest in leadership development and company re energizing  was following a familiar path. A small group of senior team members set the overall direction for the business, aligned with the strong values of the company. They then turn these ideas into some statements of intent and priorities for the business. Job done – we now have a strategic direction and the business’s staff should fall into line to deliver.

Sound familiar? It does to me, it happens so many times. There is nothing wrong with the top team creating the lead, however what is wrong, in that in the current society we inhabit, is to expect people to go along with the plan without answering the why question.  Why this plan, why not alternatives, why now, why not later in the year, why me, why not me, why in this way, why so aggressive a target, why not stay the same, why why why…… what we found endearing in children is seen as disloyal or skepticism in adults.

So what should we do instead? Construct with people a version of the answer, a way of understanding why so it doesn’t become a block to delivery. How is always the secondary question – how do we do this in a way that matches our integrity, values and competence…. but only when they know and commit to why. This is what we mean by envision and engage.  Turning ideas into concrete commitments.

It take time to get real understanding , but discretionary effort is just that, free to give when people know why and not because they are consequenced to. I believe it’s time well spent, as the alternative is to waste time and effort in trying to deliver what is not understood.