Why? Why? Why?—How Curiosity Leads to Better Ideas

 If you have children, you probably know what it’s like to hear “Why?” and “How come?” over and over again.

As a parent, I sometimes struggle with patience. I catch myself saying things like, “You should know this by now,” or “I already told you once!” And every time, I reflect and feel a little guilty.

Even though I know it’s not ideal, hearing the same question repeatedly can be frustrating. It wears me down.

But deep down, I also believe that answering these “why” questions is essential for nurturing curiosity.

When we explore ideas through conversation—even ones that seem repetitive—we often discover new perspectives. Something might seem like a simple “yes” or “no,” but the more we talk, the more we find that a third option might exist.

I think that kind of dialogue—questioning what’s right, what’s possible, or what we really want—is how better ideas are born.

It may seem like a waste of time on the surface, but this process is what helps us grow. In environments where people aren’t encouraged to ask questions or share ideas, curiosity and ambition can fade quickly.

That’s one reason I appreciate ChatGPT. It never gets tired of answering my questions—no matter how many times I ask. I hope my kids will soon be able to use it well too. It might save me some stress, and more importantly, it could become a powerful tool to fuel their curiosity.

On the business side, I’ve created a custom version of GPT trained on my company’s strategy, philosophy, and values. I use it regularly, and even though I built it myself, I often find its responses surprisingly logical and helpful.

Before bringing an idea to a colleague, I run it by GPT. It helps me think more clearly, strengthen my arguments, and have better conversations with others.