It is easy to operate inside a culture and to feel at a bit of a loss as to why things operate the way they do. A group of people with apparently good intentions end up in a dynamic together which does not bring the best out of them. What’s going on? Exploring that together forms an important part of the culture change process. We can call it ‘becoming conscious’. What was unconscious needs to become conscious before steps can be taken to change it. The culture champion, or change agent, plays a role in helping the group to progress down this path towards being conscious, from which they can make some choices that will serve the team and the organization better.
One word can really facilitate this process. “Why?” There are several occasions where this question can serve to enlighten and uncover in a way which causes change.
- In the process of understanding your culture, “Why?” will lead to deeper insight. I recently ran a focus group where the people were expressing surprise that there was no apparent discipline in their process for filling roles that became available. Often people who were already overloaded, but seen as really good, would be given additional responsibilities. Sometimes to the point where they ceased to be effective, or even left the organization. “Why do you think it is done that way?” revealed the answer: “I think we like heroes”. That word, thought by many but never discussed as a real business issue, turned out to be a crucial platform to their future change process.
- In a similar manner “Why do you think you do that” in a coaching session will help the coachee to discover motive which can be very useful to them.
- “Why do we do that?” spoken in a constructive manner can challenge long established habits to which everyone has become blind.
The intent behind the question seems to be th determinant as to whether it is a useful one. “Why?” can be delivered with an oppositional edge, a desire to catch someone out. Or it can be expressed with genuine curiousity. Of course others pick the difference immediately.
Practice your “whys?” They can lead everyone to places they did not know existed. And out on a better path than before.
