“Explain the Why”
“Explain the Why”! If I had a dime for every time I heard this, I would be a rich man.
As a leader, there have been times when I have struggled with this, and other times, I feel like Michael Jordan when explaining the “why.”
After making mistake after mistake, I dove into what it means to explain the “why” from leadership experts like Jocko Willink and Brene Brown and have come to the conclusion that there are actually multiple layers to explaining the why.
The first layer comes from a practical or common sense standpoint.
As an example in our business, if I ask you to grab a set of keys for a building, why?
From a practical standpoint, we need the keys to do the job effectively because the client has asked us to check the interior of the property. This may seem obvious, but believe it or not, for some people, explaining what seems to be practical or “common sense” is important.
Over time, I’ve learned that what seems obvious to some is not obvious to others, and I am still learning this the hard way!
The second layer is how the practical layer ties into the organizational layer. Using the same example, your team member grabs the keys because the client has asked us to check the property’s interior.
The second layer explains not only the practical application’s importance but also takes it to the next level—why the contact with the property is so important: It is the first face-to-face meeting the client will have with our organization.
Entering the building gives the team member a chance to represent hundreds of other people and show that we are not a typical security organization but a change agent here to help them, their dreams, and their safety. The team members’ behavior and understanding of the importance of this second layer can directly result in business growth or provide the clients with a positive outlook on security.
The third layer is more of an internal “why” message we must give ourselves when given a task. When you do something for a boss, co-worker, or client, you define who you are by setting standards that portray how you show up - every day.
I have spent so much time attaching my self-worth to what others think about me, essentially performing. The moment I started focusing on how I represent myself in the daily/weekly tasks given to me, setting standards that are true to myself, is when personal growth happens. Finding that North Star is a turning point for anyone searching for the best version of themselves. Once you discover that you are responsible for yourself despite your circumstances or what others think…then you are free.