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- The Chariot - 10 min read/listen
The Chariot - 10 min read/listen
Multi-threading without overstepping using the 5W1H method
“It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.”

In the grand city of Velarus, where marble columns reached for the sky and the scent of ambition filled the air, Tiberius, a master chariot maker, stood on the brink of ruin. His chariots, known throughout the empire for their unmatched speed and elegance, were his life’s work, but debts weighed heavily on his shoulders. He owed coin to blacksmiths, traders, and moneylenders who hovered like vultures, ready to snatch away his workshop if he failed to pay.
His one chance at salvation was the grand contract: supplying chariots to King Maximus, who was building the largest coliseum ever seen. To secure the deal would elevate Tiberius’s name to legend and erase his debts. But the king’s chancellor, Severus, a man known for his careful and guarded ways, stood between Tiberius and his dreams.
Severus was a master of courtly games, keeping Tiberius close enough to hope but distant enough to despair. Every meeting felt like a race Tiberius couldn’t win, with Severus offering vague reassurances and endless delays.
25% Progress Checkpoint: Can Tiberius break through Severus’s barriers, or will his debts drag him under? The wizard Weightman holds the key to a new approach that could change everything.
One morning, beneath the shadow of the colossal coliseum, Tiberius faced Severus once again. The chancellor’s expression was as cold as the stone walls surrounding them.
“Tiberius,” Severus began, his tone smooth and measured, “The king has seen your chariots. He says they are swift, but there are still… doubts.”
Tiberius’s heart pounded. “What doubts, Severus? We’ve demonstrated their speed, their craftsmanship. What’s holding us back?”
Severus’s smile was thin, revealing nothing. “The treasurer worries about costs. Lucius, the chief advisor, questions their durability. They aren’t convinced your chariots can withstand the strain.”
Tiberius clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. “Severus, I need this sale. I’ve addressed every concern, yet every time I think we’re close, you pull back.”
Severus’s eyes narrowed, his voice turning icy. “You must understand, Tiberius. The king’s court moves carefully. This is not about your need but about meeting the king’s standards.”
Tiberius nodded, outwardly calm, but inside he was desperate. Every day that passed brought him closer to ruin. He couldn’t afford to wait any longer. But how could he push Severus without risking everything?
50% Progress Checkpoint: Tiberius turns to Weightman, the wise wizard, who offers a strategy that might transform Severus from a gatekeeper into a true ally. But will Severus accept it?
Desperate for answers, Tiberius sought the counsel of Weightman, a wise and reclusive wizard known for his insights into human nature. Legends spoke of Weightman as one who could see the unseen, unraveling the threads that bound men’s hearts.
Weightman greeted Tiberius in his dimly lit chamber, surrounded by scrolls and ancient artifacts. “Tiberius,” he said, his voice gravelly yet warm, “You chase a prize that keeps slipping away. Severus, with all his caution, is the rope that holds you back.”
Tiberius nodded, his frustration spilling over. “I’m drowning in debt, Weightman. I need this sale, but Severus keeps blocking me. If I push too hard, I fear he’ll shut the door for good.”
Weightman listened, his eyes thoughtful. “Severus isn’t your enemy, Tiberius. He guards his position out of fear—fear of losing control. You need to turn him from a gatekeeper into a partner.”
“How?” Tiberius asked, desperate for guidance.
Weightman smiled and unrolled a scroll, revealing six questions. “These are the 5W1H questions. They are not just questions—they are keys that open the mind. Each one has a purpose.”
Weightman pointed to the first question. “What is the problem? This question seeks clarity. It forces Severus to speak the issue aloud, turning vague concerns into something tangible.”
He moved to the next question. “Who is responsible, involved, or impacted? This shines a light on the players in the shadows. It helps Severus see that this isn’t just his burden—it’s shared by others.”
“Where is the problem?” Weightman continued. “Problems often hide in specific places—during meetings, in whispered conversations. This question identifies where the doubt lives.”
“When is the problem occurring, and how often?” Weightman’s eyes were sharp. “This question reveals patterns. Is it a constant fear, or does it arise at certain moments? Timing can change everything.”
“Why is it happening? What’s the root cause?” Weightman tapped the scroll. “The why digs deep. Most people avoid this question because it uncovers uncomfortable truths. But without it, the real issue remains hidden.”
Finally, he pointed to the last question. “How can we solve or prevent the problem? This question transforms Severus from a barrier into a collaborator. It aligns your goals with his, making him a partner rather than a barrier.”
Tiberius studied the scroll, feeling a sense of purpose. “These questions will help Severus see that we’re on the same side?”
“Yes,” Weightman nodded. “They will guide him to reveal the path forward naturally.”
75% Progress Checkpoint: Armed with Weightman’s questions, Tiberius faces Severus with renewed confidence. Will the chancellor see Tiberius as an ally or remain a stubborn gatekeeper?
The next day, Tiberius met Severus at the coliseum, the sun casting long shadows. Severus greeted him with his usual guarded demeanor, but Tiberius approached with newfound resolve.
“Tiberius,” Severus said, “I sense something is different about you today.”
“Not just about me, Severus. I’ve been reflecting on our shared challenges,” Tiberius replied, his tone thoughtful and sincere. “Tell me, what do you see as the real problem here? Is it truly about the chariots, or something deeper?”
Severus hesitated, then sighed. “It’s not just the chariots. It’s the doubts of those around me—Lucius and Felix. They question everything because they fear failure.”
Tiberius nodded, listening intently, giving space for Severus’s thoughts to surface. “That’s understandable. Lucius and Felix play critical roles. Who else do we need to involve to address these concerns fully?”
Severus looked away, thoughtful. “The king’s racing master. He has influence, though he’s often in the background. If he’s convinced, it would carry weight.”
Tiberius leaned in slightly, showing genuine interest. “Where do these uncertainties usually arise, Severus? Is it during their private meetings, at the testing grounds, or somewhere else?”
“During the reviews,” Severus said, almost confessing. “They analyze the numbers and project doubts, but they’ve never seen the chariots under real conditions.”
Tiberius kept his tone steady, his body language open. “When do these reviews happen? Are these doubts a recurring theme, or do they spike during particular moments?”
Severus’s shoulders slumped slightly. “Every week, without fail. The same questions. The same hesitations. It’s like we’re caught in a loop.”
Tiberius nodded, absorbing the weight of Severus’s words. “It sounds like a cycle that feeds on uncertainty. Why do you think these doubts persist, even after all the data? Is it because they’ve never seen the chariots truly tested?”
Severus’s eyes met Tiberius’s, and in them, Tiberius saw not just a chancellor but a man burdened by the weight of expectation. “Yes, they need more than numbers. They need to see the chariots endure.”
Tiberius smiled softly, not in triumph but in understanding. “So how do we change that, Severus? How can we shift this from constant questioning to confidence? How do we solve this together?”
Severus took a deep breath, feeling the shift from confrontation to collaboration. “We arrange a demonstration. We let them see what these chariots are made of.”
Tiberius nodded, grateful. “Let’s make it happen. Together, we can show them the truth.”
100% Progress Checkpoint: The final test is here. Will Tiberius’s chariots prove their worth and secure the future he desperately needs?
Days later, Tiberius’s chariots tore through the coliseum’s dust, proving their worth under the gaze of the king’s advisors. As Severus stood beside him, no longer a barrier but an ally, Tiberius felt not just the weight of his debts lifting but the triumph of a hard-fought partnership.
King Maximus, impressed by the display, declared, “These chariots will lead the games. Velarus will remember this day.”
Tiberius had learned that the right questions could turn obstacles into opportunities and adversaries into allies. And as the crowd cheered, Tiberius knew he had not just won a contract; he had mastered the delicate art of turning conflict into collaboration, all through the power of understanding and partnership.
This post was inspired by Multithreading, PSA, 5W1H by Keith Weightman
Learn more about the 5W1H from this 84 second explanation
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