The Importance of Questioning “Why?”

Many of you can probably relate to the fact that parents often find themselves faced with endless "why" questions from their kids. Similarly, utility operators and managers can benefit from embracing a childlike curiosity and approach every challenge – be it compliance or client dissatisfaction – by asking the fundamental question, "why?"

To spur the thought process and adjust our approach to problem solving, below are a few points to ask yourselves.

For Operations:

• If we exceed permit limits, how do we adjust the treatment process to achieve optimal removal conditions?

• If a team member is injured, can the hazard be eliminated? Do we provide adequate PPE? Do we need more training?

For Client / Customer Relationships:

• If a client is unhappy, are we delivering on contract requirements? Do we need team training?

• If a customer has concerns, we have concerns- no matter the size or reality of the problem.

Every challenge has a root cause, and by identifying and correcting it, we can overcome obstacles effectively. The next time you're uncertain about something, remember to simply ask "why?"