In this episode, Chris Walker explores the power of understanding true intent through the “Five Whys” technique. By continuously asking why, leaders can uncover the deeper motivations behind their actions, ensuring alignment with core values. This approach promotes conscious leadership, leading to more meaningful and impactful outcomes in business and personal life. Tune in to learn how to stay creative, keep it real, and embrace a messier, more authentic path to leadership.
Introduction
Good morning, good afternoon, wherever you are. This is Chris Walker, and today we’re delving into the third level of human consciousness in business: leadership consciousness and conscious leadership. Our mantra here is to keep it real, keep it messy, and keep practising. While the idea of keeping it messy might sound like an invitation to be less disciplined or organized, it’s essentially about staying creative.
Exploring Intent Through the Five Whys
Today, we’ll explore the concept of intent more deeply, helping you uncover your true intentions. Whenever you’re uncertain about moving forward with something, a powerful technique called the “Five Whys” can help you find clarity.
Let’s consider an example: you want to build a new website. You start by asking yourself why.
- Why do I want to build a new website? Because it will represent my business better.
- Why do I want to represent my business better? Because I don’t believe the current representation embraces a broad enough community.
- Why do I want to embrace a broader community? Because I want to have a greater impact in the world.
- Why do I want to have a greater impact in the world? Because I believe the world needs to calm down and people need to be less disrupted.
- Why do I believe that? Because I believe it’s possible for humans to live in a state of goodness, and the more people in a state of goodness, the more good there will be in the world.
Through this process, my intent becomes clear: to spread goodness, connect more people to nature, show them how to be less stressed at work, and help them return home happier, more loving, and more balanced.
Clarifying Intent for Effective Action
Understanding your true intent is crucial for ensuring that your actions align with your core values. For instance, if I decide to take my family away for the weekend, I need to understand my intent:
- What is my intent for the weekend? To spend quality time with my family.
- Why? Because I believe it’s beneficial for them.
- Why is it important for me to benefit them this way? Because I want to make a difference in their lives.
- Why do I want to make a difference? Because I want to feel like I am part of something and belong to it.
- Why do I want to belong to something? Because it makes me feel less lonely and connected to others.
By continuously questioning my intentions, I can ensure that my actions are genuinely aligned with my deeper motivations, leading to more meaningful and fulfilling experiences.
Avoiding Superficial Solutions
This introspective process helps avoid superficial solutions to deeper issues. For example, if someone considers buying a fur coat, they might follow this sequence:
- Why do I want to buy a coat? Because I like how it looks.
- Why do I want a coat that looks good? Because it will make me feel good.
- Why do I need to feel good? Because I don’t feel good right now.
- Why don’t I feel good? Because I feel disconnected.
- Why do I feel disconnected?
This progression leads to the root cause of the desire and shifts the focus from external solutions to addressing the internal issue. In consulting, we often say that asking the right question solves 90% of the problem. Instead of asking, “Should I buy the coat?” the question should be, “Why do I want the coat?”
Applying the Five Whys in Coaching
This approach is essential in conscious leadership. Before taking action, we need to ask why repeatedly to uncover the true intent behind our actions. Sometimes, this introspective process can be challenging to do alone, as we often think within our own bubble. This is where coaching becomes invaluable. A coach can guide you through the Five Whys, ensuring any mental glass ceilings in your thinking process do not divert you.
Conclusion
Uncovering your true intent through the Five Whys is a powerful tool for conscious leadership. It ensures that your actions align with your deeper values, leading to more meaningful and impactful outcomes. Understanding your intent is key to effective and authentic leadership in business, personal life, or family relationships.
Thanks for tuning in to ‘The Anti-Guru Guru Show.’ If you enjoyed this post, share it with a friend who needs a reality check. Until next time, keep it real, keep it messy, and keep practising. See you soon!