Why Encourages Critical Thinking

In our rush to complete tasks, we may forget to pause and reflect. We concentrate on what needs to be done and overlook the reasons behind those actions. This haste can lead to a trade-off between speed and accuracy, resulting in a flurry of incorrect actions performed swiftly. Taking a moment to ask why compels us to think critically.

“If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions.” — Albert Einstein

Before diving into action, consider: What needs to be done, and why is it necessary? Formulate a plan to avoid the pitfalls of misdirected efforts.

Why Am I So Overwhelmed?

During my tenure as a scrum master and solution architect on a project, I found myself increasingly busy. It baffled me why the scrum master—whose role is to facilitate—was the busiest person on the team. My to-do list seemed to grow each day, despite my efforts to conquer it.

It was during a holiday that I posed a critical question to myself: Why am I so busy?

By documenting my tasks, meetings, and responsibilities, I discovered that I was taking on others' work and neglecting to delegate tasks I could manage. The beauty of questioning why is that it invites further inquiry.

• Why was I busy? This helped me identify my tasks and engagements.
• Why was I involved in these activities? It prompted me to consider who else should handle these responsibilities.
• Why continue these tasks? I was able to discern which tasks were essential and which could be set aside.

Too Busy to Reflect

Humans are not designed to multitask effectively. We cannot listen and read slides simultaneously, nor can we think deeply while engaged in conversation or meetings. In the fast-paced environment of software development, the sheer volume of tasks often prevents us from questioning our actions.

When overwhelmed, reflection often takes a back seat.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves

"A man always has two reasons for doing anything: a good reason and the real reason." — J. P. Morgan

We frequently narrate stories to ourselves that obscure the truth of our circumstances. We convince ourselves that we must work on a project or that there are valid reasons for missed promotions.

These initial responses are often convenient narratives, but rarely do they reflect the underlying truth. To uncover reality, we must probe deeper and unearth the root causes of our situations.

Asking Tough Questions

Many developers leave annual appraisals feeling disheartened—no promotion, no salary increase—despite their hard work. It’s an easy story to tell oneself, but to glean true understanding, we must delve beneath the surface.

• Why was I overlooked for promotion?
• Why is my career stagnant?
• What skills do I need to progress?
• Am I truly improving?

By tackling these challenging questions, we can uncover answers. Resist the temptation to accept the first response; it’s often the one we wish to hear. Embrace an attitude of extreme responsibility: What can you do to better the situation?

The Five Whys Technique

The "Five Whys" is an iterative approach that helps uncover the root causes of problems by repeatedly asking "why." The technique's objective is to explore the cause-and-effect relationships that underlie issues.

Why persist in asking why? Problems rarely stem from a single cause; multiple factors may contribute. Most individuals stop after the first reason, which often absolves them of accountability.

For instance:

• Why didn’t I get promoted? Because my managers were unaware of my contributions.
• Why were they unaware? Because I failed to communicate my achievements.

Consider the potential truths behind your answers.

• Perhaps others performed better or deserved the promotion more than I did. (Investigate who advanced and their contributions.)
• You might also ask those who received promotions about their experience, their self-review strategies, and the supporting evidence they presented.

Additional Questions to Ponder

• Am I satisfied with my current project? Why or why not?
• Is my career advancing? Why or why not?
• Am I learning and evolving?
• What steps can I take to move forward in my career?
• What role do I aspire to, and what actions can I take to attain it?
• Who should I connect with, and what should I communicate?

Approaching Others with Curiosity

While asking "why" can stimulate thought, it can also come across as confrontational. It’s essential to approach inquiries with a sense of curiosity rather than accusation.

Utilize open-ended questions to elicit the same depth of thought without seeming aggressive:

• How does this work?
• What occurs in this scenario?
• How does this design function at scale?

Open questions encourage deeper reflection, often revealing flaws in reasoning or assumptions.