Why, How, What

[Arturo Uscategui]

Hello,

Do you know the approach of Simon Sinek “Start with Why”?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4&feature=related

Don’t you think that it would be more convenient if the order was: Why, What, How?

Thank you for your input

[Ria Baeck]

I have never heard of it Arturo; so I can't help...

[Arturo Uscategui]

Ok Ria, Thank you for your reply.
I created this conversation in "Harvests from AoH trainings" but it isn't any more there. Do you know why it doesn’t appears ?
This was a very important subject harvested in the AoH training in Madrid.
I think that it could generate a meaningful conversation.

 

[Ria Baeck]

Hi Arturo, actually it was me who changed the category to Questions meet Wisdom! Sorry, but I didn't understand that it came out of the AoH training in Madrid! (it is always good to write also about the context where your question is coming from) I guess this category is still the best for people to find it.

and I would suggest, if no answers comes in to post it on the AoH emaillist, maybe that will spark more answers. (Go to Resources -> AoH website -> stay connected)

[Ekaterina Khaletskaya]

Hi Arturo,

Thinking of your initial question (about the order in Why, How, What idea), I guess it could be both ways!

Perhaps it depends what kind of meaning is put behind each question.

 

As far as I remember in the example that Simon shares about Apple: Why is an innovative world that the company is working for, How is the approach / principle they choose to realise this purpose (e.g. through techonological developments), and What is a specific product that they produce (e.g. iPad). So in this example the How part answers the question - how do we deliver value? being a larger question than What, as What talks about products (or activities - in case of another company) which is the very end product of this purpose-driven chain.

 

I imagine, if we change the meaning of What and make it answer the question - "What is our approach, what do we do to fulfill the purpose" and then How as "How do we do this?" being a unique method or technology, then it could also make sense, but with a different meaning.

 

The "How" Simon uses here is larger than an action, program, product - is a unique way being followed to fulfill the purpose.

 

This is how I see it! Thank you - we just used this idea (Why, How, What) in our organisation recently to develop an organisational strategy and your question made me reflect back on the concept.

 

 

[Arturo Uscategui]

Great Ekaterina!

This helps me so much and arrives in a very good moment. This afternoon I am working on it. Now I see better the “How”…A unique way to fulfill the purpose!

I didn’t read yet the book of Simon, and your analysis has opened to me a deeper view of this wonderful approach from Simon.

You answered to my question! Thank you very much!