What How and Why
The actual quote is “Those who know what, and those who know how, work for those who know why.” The author of this quote is Zig Ziglar (Hilary Hinton Ziglar) motivational speaker and author. (View a video clip of Zig Ziglar talking about goals) http://www.nightingale.com/offers/goals2.html?promo=intovera615&org=intovera615 Or view information about Zig Ziglar in his newsletter. http://www.ziglar.com/newsletter/?tag=zig-ziglar
In simplest forms the most successful people have a grasp of the “why” while those that only grasp what to do and how to do it support the success of the former. What does this have to do with critical thinking? Easy….By understanding the “why” we are asking ourselves questions like: What is the purpose and what is the intended result? When we are able to answer these questions, we are able to effectively weigh out the different potential methods of carrying out the tasks necessary to accomplish the final goal, and effectively consider the potential consequences of the end result. In other words, we understand what the intended result is, we understand different methods of achieving that goal, and we understand that other potential results may be achieved whether they are intended or desirable. Those who know what to do and how to do those tasks are simply following blindly, with closed minds to no real means of an end. Look at this quote in the respect of any job or profession. Such as it is understanding the why is the basis of analyzing any content or situation critically. http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/ourConceptCT.cfm The following link also provides good information on the importance of understanding the why: http://greatday.com/motivate/101016.html
In simplest forms the most successful people have a grasp of the “why” while those that only grasp what to do and how to do it support the success of the former. What does this have to do with critical thinking? Easy….By understanding the “why” we are asking ourselves questions like: What is the purpose and what is the intended result? When we are able to answer these questions, we are able to effectively weigh out the different potential methods of carrying out the tasks necessary to accomplish the final goal, and effectively consider the potential consequences of the end result. In other words, we understand what the intended result is, we understand different methods of achieving that goal, and we understand that other potential results may be achieved whether they are intended or desirable. Those who know what to do and how to do those tasks are simply following blindly, with closed minds to no real means of an end. Look at this quote in the respect of any job or profession. Such as it is understanding the why is the basis of analyzing any content or situation critically. http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/ourConceptCT.cfm The following link also provides good information on the importance of understanding the why: http://greatday.com/motivate/101016.html
Most employment has a hierarchy that includes general workers, and supervisors. Now in most cases the workers are those that are proficient in the “what and how”; the supervisors are expected to be proficient in the why. A great example to use is that of a hiearchy within a Fire Department in respects to operations staff. A typical hiearchy in this type of organization consists of firefighters, engineers, captains, and varying levels of chiefs. It is a paramilitary structure and maintains a strict chain of command. This is why it fits so well in Zig’s quote. The lowest levels clearly fit into the category of what and how, and the higher you climb in this hierarchy moves you into the why category.
Let us clarify this: Choose any position you want in this employment tier. You are called to a structure fire, as a firefighter, you know how to use the equipment and what to do to put the fire out. As an Engineer in addition to knowing how and what to do as a firefighter, you know how to use the equipment and what to do to operate the apparatus and provide water and support for the firefighters putting the fire out. The Captain knows the how and what of the previous positions as well as an understanding why the equipment is used a certain way to put the fire out. The captain understands this through more knowledge in tactics, strategies, fire behavior and experience. In other words he has a better understanding of why equipment and procedures are utilized and employed to accomplish the task of putting the fire out. The varying levels of chief theoretically should have the highest understanding of the why. These are the individuals that create the policies and procedures to effectively combat the fire even before the fire happens. These are the individuals that understand what the intended result is, the different methods of achieving those goals, and that other potential results may be achieved whether they are intended or desirable.
“Those who know what, and those who know how, work for those who know why” is a prime example of those who employ critical thinking skills become more successful.
