If you are parent, you will hear the question “why” over a million times a day. Your child is inquisitive to know everything to get to the root of the problem. Why do children ask questions?
A child wishes to know everything that pertains to the subject she has asked. Why should I eat carrot? Why should I be healthy? What should I grow tall? Why, why, why? In his book, “A More Beautiful Question” Warren Berger asks his readers to question everything.
Unfortunately, as we grow older, we have forgotten the basic principle in learning is to ask the question why? We live as zombies not getting frustrated with what is going on in our office, politics, nature, homes.
Why is the politician wanting my vote? Why is the news anchor showcasing only negative news? Why is my boss shouting at me for no reason? Why is my child watching TV for more than two hours? When we don’t ask questions, we don’t find answers.
In Lean methodology, there is a simple root cause problem-solving technic known as the 5 Why (or some say 6 why) principle. When you ask 5 why questions under most of the circumstances, you will be able to tackle the root cause and problem solve quickly. For e.g.
1st Scenario
>> I’m not being productive at my work>>
>>WHY>>
>>I can’t understand few data points they are working on>
>>WHY>>
>>There’s no one there to help me>>
>>WHY>>
>>I don’t know, I think because I haven’t asked>>
The solution to the problem is learning. Either he can learn the skill by asking someone or self-learn
Next time, you are cornered by a problem, ask the 5 Why’s to solve them. If you can’t solve it, it’s not under your control and so don’t worry about it.
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