The Power of Asking ‘Why Not?’ in Your Business Decisions
Most business decisions are made by asking, “Why should we?” It sounds responsible. Logical. Safe. But if you want to unlock growth, innovation, and opportunities others miss, there’s a more powerful question: “Why not?”
Camille Blanchard
6/3/20252 min read
Why ‘Why Not?’ Changes Everything
When you ask “Why should we?” your brain immediately searches for reasons not to move forward. Risk. Cost. Complexity. You build a case for staying where you are – which often feels safer but keeps you stuck.
“Why not?” flips that thinking.
Instead of defaulting to barriers, you open yourself to possibilities. You create space for curiosity, creativity, and breakthrough ideas.
How ‘Why Not?’ Drives Innovation
Most great innovations didn’t start with “Why should we?” They started with:
Why not build a computer for every home?
Why not make banking entirely digital?
Why not let people book their own travel online?
When you ask “why not?”, you give yourself permission to think differently – to challenge norms, test assumptions, and see what others can’t.
Real-World Example: Small Business Perspective
Imagine you run a local bakery. Sales are steady but flat. You might ask, “Why should we expand our product line or delivery radius?”
But what if you asked:
Why not partner with local coffee shops to sell our pastries?
Why not offer corporate catering for morning meetings?
Why not create baking kits for families at home?
Suddenly, opportunities emerge that could transform your revenue and brand presence.
Using ‘Why Not?’ Strategically
Here’s how to apply it in your business today:
1. Identify an Area That Feels Stuck
Is it growth, marketing, product development, customer acquisition, or operations?
2. Ask “Why Not?” Without Immediate Judgment
Write down ideas – no matter how unrealistic they initially seem. This step is about opening possibilities, not critiquing them.
3. Evaluate for Strategic Fit and Feasibility
Once your list is complete, assess each idea:
Does it align with your mission and goals?
Is it feasible with existing resources or worth investing in?
4. Take Action on One Idea
Start with a pilot or small test. Action creates momentum – and often reveals even more opportunities.
When to Use ‘Why Not?’
When growth feels stagnant
When competitors are gaining ground
When you’re facing a complex problem with no clear solution
When your team is stuck in “we’ve always done it this way” thinking
Final Thoughts
Great businesses aren’t built by playing it safe. They’re built by leaders and teams willing to ask bold questions – and act on them.
At Blanchard Strategy, “Why not?” is one of our favorite questions. Because behind every “why not?” is a possibility waiting to become reality.