Simon Sinek’s ‘Start with Why’ TED talk and book are popular. Many strategy consultants use a version of the Toyota Production System ‘Five Whys’ exercise to help teams dig deep and articulate their ultimate goals.
While all of this is useful and interesting, when it comes down to doing the work and making change, we need to acknowledge that our ‘whys’ can be different. The reason I do X is because I want to change something about the economy. However, the reason another person does X may be related to what happens on their team or in their classroom. We’re both right, we can both get the work done and make the change. It helps when we can see each other’s ‘why’ and respect how they are different yet aligned.
TUNING Design Co. 