This one idea motivates me as a teacher, parent, and leader.
If you know why, you’re going to be more inspired to pursue success. Most people want to succeed at whatever they’re doing, so convincing them to pursue it is easy – if they know why they should.
Why is this important? I’ll study if I know why it’s valuable.
Why is the chord voiced this way? I’ll lean into singing it well if I understand why it is that way.
Why do I need to pick up my laundry? If you take the time to explain the value, I’ll be more likely to try harder.
Will we succeed at everything? No, no one does. But I find over and over again that if we know why, the chances of success skyrocket. And too many leaders, parents, and teachers think that “Because I said so” is an acceptable definition of why. Instead, how about answering the why before anyone asks.