Why?

I think the ‘Why?’ question serves different functions in an organisational setting.

When it is between two individuals of the same status it is usually in the form of a complaint.

‘Why the hell are we doing this task. Surely this is someone else’s job!’

But when the Why is run up the flag pole then it is typically vocalised in a much more timid fashion.

‘Em we were just wondering em why we’re going in this direction. Just curious really as to the thought behind it. There was probably a good reason wasn’t there! Yeah I bet there was. Nevermind! Pretend we never bothered you.’

The former is usually rhetorical and the latter whilst it may come out in a roundabout way requires much more courage (if they actually ask the question that is!).