One of the easiest ways to make a message disappear is to leave out the reason behind it.
A physiotherapist once told me, “Don’t stretch.” Fair enough. But why? Without the explanation, it felt like just another random instruction waiting to be ignored.
The same thing happens at work. New strategy? New process? New policy? Don’t just tell people what to do. Tell them why.
That single word, because, can be the difference between compliance and commitment. When people understand what led to a decision, it makes sense. And when things make sense, people are far more likely to get on board.
The nudge: Don’t just give directions. Give the reason. The why is what sticks.
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