4 Times You Should Ask Why at Work - The Muse

4 Times You Should Ask Why at Work - The Muse4 Times You Should Ask Why at WorkAs a kid, you probably werent afraid to express a little curiosity- specifically, by responding to every order from your parents (Clean your room) with a simple, yet, in your young mind, compelling, Why?While most parents probably dont blink an eye at that retort, when your boss issues an order (I need that PowerPoint ready by 3 PM), Why? is probably not the most appropriate response. In a professional setting, asking Why? can seem disrespectful and combative- and if you want to succeed in your position and move up in the company, thats probably not the attitude you want to exude. Used appropriately, however, that one word can make a difference in your productivity, happiness, and career advancement- particularly in these four situations. 1. You Dont Agree With the Way Youre Supposed to Do SomethingCompanies love processes. They document standard operating procedures, best practices, and step-by-step instr uctions for everything from making a ausverkauf call to brewing coffee in the break room. While established processes can be helpful, you may have ideas to do things in a different, more efficient way- and asking Why? can be the perfect way to initiate a dialogue about changing up the old standards. For instance, to finalize a report, the current process may require you to get approval from a number of managers across several departments- who dont actually have anything to do with the report. In your mind, there must be a more efficient way to get that item checked off your to-do list. Asking your boss, Why do we do things this way? will either reveal why those approvals are necessary or urge your manager to reevaluate the process (and give you and your idea a chance to shine).2. Youre Asked to Do Something Outside of Your Job DescriptionIn some roles, no responsibility is off limits- especially when it comes to startups. You may be writing code one day, then organizing the supply r oom the next. In many cases, its important to pitch in where youre needed without complaint. But there is a line. For example, maybe your boss asks you to make a number of calls to help organize a personal party shes hosting. Or, even though you were hired as a sales representative, your manager constantly asks you to take customer support calls, which hinders your ability to connect with your prospects.To make sure you can continue to fulfill your core responsibilities and grow within your role, you may need to respectfully approach your manager with a thoughtful Why? You could say, for example, Im not sure this aligns with my role- can you help me understand why Ive been assigned this task? With that question, you can open up a conversation to more clearly define your role and responsibilities. 3. You Get Feedback You Dont Agree WithThere are few things more disheartening than turning in an assignment youre extremely proud of or scheduling a performance review after what you thoug ht welches a stellar year- only to hear feedback thats completely out of line with your expectations. Instead of praise, youre told your assignment needs multiple revisions. Rather than giving you a raise, your manager suggests that you should completely revamp your management style to be more effective. If that feedback doesnt match up with your expectations, now is the perfect time to dig deeper and ask for details. For example, you could point to a specific portion of your assignment that was marked with edits and ask your manager, Why did you made this change? Or, in response to a suggested change in your management style, you could say, Can you explain why you think this is a better approach?Its only when you truly understand that feedback that you can make the necessary changes. 4. You Didnt Get Something You WantedMaybe you made a strong case to your boss for a raise, voiced your interest in a promotion to a manager role, or interviewed at your absolute dream company- but you didnt make the cut. The embarrassment of that defeat can be enough to make your turn your head and pretend it all didnt happen- youll just try again next year. But vowing to simply do better leaves you with no tangible goals. Instead, the simple question Why? can help you can gain insight into what you need to do differently to achieve that goal. For example, maybe you ask your boss, Can you tell me why Aaron was chosen for the promotion? You might discover that while youve been a high-performing team member, Aaron spent the last year getting certified as a project manager and volunteering for cross-departmental projects, and used those achievements to position himself as the ideal candidate.Now, you have insight into exactly why you werent chosen- and what you can do differently to boost your chances next time. Asking Why? doesnt have to be rude or disruptive. Phrased respectfully, the simple question can help you do your job better, be more productive, and boost your career succe ss.Photo of conversation courtesy of Shutterstock.