Leadership story: The power of asking WHY instead of assuming you know everything

Years ago, in a faraway kingdom, there lived a wise and noble king. He ruled his land with fairness and kindness, and his people respected and loved him. The king was happily married to a beautiful queen, and their days were filled with joy. However, their happiness was short-lived. A few years into their marriage, the queen became gravely ill. Despite the best efforts of the kingdom’s healers, she passed away. The king was heartbroken. Though he mourned deeply, the king continued to rule with honor, dedicating his life to the well-being of his people. However, the loss of his queen also meant they had no children. As the years went by, the king grew older, and he began to worry about who would succeed him. He needed someone wise and capable to continue his legacy and care for the kingdom. One day, while walking through the countryside, the king stumbled upon an enormous sinkhole. It was so vast that two soccer fields could easily fit inside it. The king stood at the edge, gazing into its depths. Suddenly, an idea struck him. “This is it!” the king said aloud. “This will help me find the right person to rule the kingdom.”

Upon returning to his castle, he called his advisors and shared his plan. He issued a royal decree inviting all those who believed they were worthy to become the next king to gather in the town square in three weeks’ time. The announcement spread quickly. People from every corner of the kingdom traveled to take part in the king’s challenge. On the appointed day, the town square was filled with thousands of hopeful candidates. The king addressed them, “Today, you will be tested. The person who proves themselves worthy will become my heir.” He led the crowd to the massive sinkhole in the countryside. With a calm but firm voice, the king posed a single question “What should I do with this sinkhole?” The candidates eagerly began suggesting solutions. “Fill it with rocks and dirt,” one said. “Turn it into a pond,” suggested another. “Build a bridge over it,” a third proposed. Others suggested building a wall, putting up warning signs, making it a graveyard, or using it as a defense against enemies. Days passed, and hundreds of answers were given, yet none satisfied the king. He grew disheartened. “Does no one truly understand what it means to lead?” he wondered.

Finally, it was the turn of a young farm boy from a small village. He had been mocked by many for even attempting to compete for the throne. “A farm boy as king? Ridiculous!” the others whispered. The king looked at him with little expectation and asked, “What should I do?” The boy paused, his eyes thoughtful. He then replied, “Why do anything, my king?” The king’s eyes lit up. “Why do you say that?” he asked, his voice filled with curiosity. The boy humbly explained, “Because I do not know your reason, my king. I cannot offer a true solution without understanding your why. Are you worried that the sinkhole is dangerous? Do you see it as an opportunity to build something new? Or perhaps it reminds you of something from your past? Until I understand your intentions, any solution I offer would be just a guess.” The king smiled, his heart filled with hope. This young boy understood something that all the others had missed. Leadership is not simply about providing quick answers, it is about understanding the reasons behind problems. It is about listening and seeking to understand before making decisions.

The king declared, “This boy shall be my heir!” The crowd gasped in disbelief. The elders questioned the king, “Why choose a mere farm boy?” The king replied, “Everyone else assumed the sinkhole was a problem to be fixed. They rushed to provide answers without understanding my thoughts. But this young man asked the most important question of all, why? He showed wisdom and humility. He sought to understand before acting. That is the kind of leader our kingdom needs.” The farm boy grew to be a wise and compassionate king. He led with understanding, always seeking to know the ‘why’ before making decisions. The kingdom flourished under his rule.