"Why Daddy, Why?" Parker Eikenberry, age 3

All kids go through the stage. It is a fabled stage in the growing up process. That time when every statement requires further explanation, every statement is followed by "Why?" Anyone who has been through it won't likely forget it, and while they laugh about it later, there are times when the "Why's" become overwhelming and may lead to much frustration (and maybe a "Because I said so!") I've been thinking a lot about the "Why" question, wondering why (is it contagious?) that kids all seem to go through this stage. I am convinced I have figured out at least part of the reason. Why is a very powerful question. It is perhaps the best way to cut through the clutter to better understand a situation. In order to better understand anything, we either ask why or some variation of it.

"Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the one who asked why."- Bernard Baruch

You may be familiar with a problem solving technique called the Fishbone Diagram. If you're not, it's a technique where a problem statement is placed in the "head" of the fish and lines are drawn identifying major possible causes of the problem. (These major areas often include things like: people, equipment, materials, processes, etc.) Each of these areas is then explored, trying to determine the root causes of the problem. The thinking is that once we understand the root causes of a problem, we are in a much better position to solve the problem.

All of this is relevant because the best way to use the Fishbone Diagram is to ask the "Why" question. Let's say the problem is that you have brown spots in your lawn. Perhaps you think that one possible cause is lack of water. To check this hypothesis we ask ourselves, "Why would there be a lack of water?" And we might answer that it hasn't rained in three weeks. "Why hasn't it rained in three weeks?" ... You get the idea.

The power of the Fishbone Diagram is the "Why?" question. If you will ask yourself "Why?" over and over, you will get to root cause (usually in five why's or less). How will you know you're there? When you can't think of any way to answer your last "Why?" question. (The end of my earlier example might be that it's July - a month of little rain. "Why is it July?" You can see there's not much hope to pursue that one!)

"The best way to stay young is to have the courage of your curiosity." - Millie Wertheim

So back to Parker and his constant asking of "Why?" He asks because he's curious. He wants to know more about the world around him. Curiosity leads to learning, whether we are exploring new things or solving problems. Curiosity is a wonderful thing, something we never need outgrow. Maybe we all need to start asking "Why?" more often. We may solve some problems, we may learn some things, and maybe we recapture a glimmer of what it's like to be a kid. Not bad returns for a simple question . . .

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