La Ciudad Visible on Flickr
“What” is for followers.
“Why” is for emerging leaders.
I have often commented that the greatest task for every leader is the responsibility to raise up more leaders. This really should be a leader’s first and controlling thought.
But most leaders treat those that report to them as mere laborers. They only delegate tasks. They focus on the “what” of a job and forget to explain “why.” To merely tell someone what you want them to do is to focus more on the task than the development of the emerging leader. To tell them “why” is to help them understand the leadership principles behind the task you want them to complete.
“Why” points to the overall direction behind a decision.
“Why” lays the philosophical foundation for the task at hand.
“Why” helps an emerging leader in how to think–so that next time they can make a great decision.
It is best to ask an emerging leader “why.”
But you can also tell an emerging leader “why.”
Education will leave its mark.
Personal discovery will last a lifetime.
Listen to some of the questions of Jesus:
“Why are you anxious about clothing?”
“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?”
“Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”
“Why do you think evil in your hearts?”
“Why do you question in your hearts?”
“Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.”
“Why put me to the test?”
“Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?”
“Why” gets to leadership motives.
Lead well!
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