Why you should stop asking 'why' at work
Briefly

Why you should stop asking 'why' at work
"Artists ask 'why' constantly, pushing past convention and driving genuine creative thinking. In contrast, in corporate life, 'why' often translates to judgment, putting people on the defensive."
"According to Gartner, less than half of employees feel they have the safety to challenge the status quo, indicating that challenging is perceived as more threatening than experimenting."
"The intent behind asking 'why' is often curiosity, but the impact can lead to conflict, as poorly framed questions can trigger defensiveness and a need to justify actions."
Artistic practice thrives on relentless questioning, pushing past conventions to foster creativity. In contrast, business environments often interpret such inquiries as judgment, leading to defensiveness. Questions like 'Why are we doing it this way?' can sound accusatory, triggering a need to justify decisions. Hierarchical dynamics exacerbate this issue, as questions from senior leaders carry more weight and can intimidate junior staff. Research indicates that many employees feel unsafe challenging the status quo, highlighting the need for better framing of questions to promote engagement rather than conflict.
Read at Fast Company
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