This phrase communicates disrespect while shutting down communication. So why do so many leaders still use it or its equivalents?
Many middle-aged people grew up hearing their parents say, “Because I said so.” Most parents these days, however, know they’re not supposed to use this time-honored way to shut down an argument. By now, we’ve all heard the warnings from psychologists that the phrase kills communication, discourages problem-solving, and generally makes your kid think you’re a jerk.
So why, best-selling author Brené Brown would like to know, are so many business leaders still using the corporate equivalent of the phrase?
The office equivalent of ‘Because I said so’
You probably haven’t literally heard your boss say “because I said so,” but that’s basically how many justify (or, more accurately, fail to justify) their more controversial decisions, Brown observed on a recent episode of her podcast with fellow researcher Adam Grant, The Curiosity Shop.