We all know the question, “why?”
I talk about the power of “why” in my podcast How WHY Powers You and Your Startup. Simon Sinek gave an insightful TED talk examining the question “why?” in How Great Leaders Inspire Action.
But how about the question, “what?”
Dr. Tasha Eurich, an organizational psychologist/researcher shares her thoughts on “why” vs “what” in her book Insight:
Why questions stir up negative emotions; what questions keep us curious. Why questions trap us in our past; what questions help us create a better future. Indeed, making the transition from why to what can be the difference between victimhood and growth.
A psychologist asks why questions to analyze your past, but a coach asks you what questions to explore your future.
Dr. Eurich continues:
If you ask why, you’re putting yourself into a victim mentality. People end up in therapy forever for that. When I feel anything other than peace, I say “What’s going on?” “What am I feeling?” “What is the dialogue inside my head?” “What’s another way to see this situation?” “What can I do to respond better?”
When you ask “why”, you view yourself from a fixed mindset: why did I do that?
When you ask “what”, you view yourself from a growth mindset: what can I do?
Next time you’re framing a challenging life or work situation, consider asking “what” to see if it can help you unlock answers that “why” could not.
Photo by Emily Morter on Unsplash
