Explaining the Why: Because “Just Do It” Only Works for Nike
In project management, you can have all the timelines, tools, and templates in the world—but if people don’t understand why something matters, you’ll spend more time chasing updates than making progress.
Whether it’s a stakeholder, a team member, or a vendor, you’ve probably said something like:
- “We need your approval by Friday.”
- “Please review the user stories today.”
- “Can you update the risk log?”
And what do you get?
A polite “Sure!”
…followed by nothing for three business days and a “Sorry, I missed this” next week.
Here’s the truth: telling people what to do is not enough.
You need to explain why it matters.
We All Want Context—Yes, Even the Grown-Ups
If you’ve ever had a toddler in your life, you know their favorite question:
“But why?”
You explain one thing, and the follow-up is always, “But why?”
Annoying? Sometimes.
But also… a sign of intelligence.
That same wiring doesn’t disappear in adulthood. We just ask more politely—or worse, stay silent and disengage.
And in projects, disengagement looks like missed deadlines, incomplete tasks, or people saying yes but meaning “I’ll deal with this later.”
Explaining the “why” is what flips that switch from passive to proactive.
This Isn’t Just a PM Thing — It’s a Human Thing
When someone understands the why, they:
- Prioritize the task
- Care about the outcome
- Catch issues before they become problems
Whether you’re in marketing, tech, HR, or organizing a team potluck—it’s all the same. People contribute more when they understand the bigger picture.
So no, this isn’t just for Scrum teams or project dashboards. This is for:
- Any team that wants results
- Any leader who wants buy-in
- Any person who wants fewer “Sorry I forgot” emails
Let’s Compare: Telling vs. Explaining
🚫 Telling:
“We need this reviewed by Thursday.”
✅ Explaining the Why:
“We need this reviewed by Thursday so development can start Monday without blockers. If it’s delayed, we lose a full sprint.”
Yes, It Takes Patience — But It Pays Off
Sure, explaining the “why” might add 30 seconds to a conversation.
But skipping it? That adds 3 follow-ups, 2 miscommunications, and a frustrated project manager wondering how we got here.
So take the extra moment. Give the context.
Not because people need hand-holding—
But because they deserve clarity.
Final Thought: If Toddlers Get to Ask Why, So Do Adults
Successful teams don’t just follow orders.
They understand purpose.
So the next time you ask for something, don’t just share what you need.
Share why it matters.
Your project will thank you.
So will your team.
And maybe… your inbox.