Chalk up “Because I said so” to that famous list of phrases that you can only fully understand, appreciate, and utilize once you spend much of your time around inquisitive youngsters. Often in the chaos of everyday living, I find this phrase much simpler to use than a lengthy explanation – especially when I’m not able or willing to share the origin of my decision making process.

However, I might be changing my tune (or at least my verbiage) after reading about an interesting study done by social psychologist Ellen Langer. She found that including your listener in the “why” of a decision increases their cooperation rate from 60 to 94 percent.

That’s a whopping 34% increase in a positive response from your listener just by taking another minute to follow the “because” with some real information. I’m not saying this is going to magically work on children, but it might help, and the technique can definitely spill over into other areas of your life – professional and personal. It seems that people will be much more understanding if you let them in on the real “because” of your actions.

So the next time someone asks you “Why?” or you see that “Why are you doing that?” look in their eyes, take a minute to explain yourself. It will be worth it!

EXTRA-Ordinary Ideas

Read It: Read about Langer’s study and other helpful communication techniques in Frances Cole Jones’ new book How to Wow.

Do It: This week resist the urge to say, “Because I Said So!”

Think It: “The problem with communication … is the illusion that it has been accomplished.” George Bernard Shaw