Different situations require different approaches. There never will be a universal solution.
But there are situations in which both approaches may be used.
It seems that in that case, the choice of approach becomes a question of preference.
Explaining could be a function of one person’s attachment to an outcome and to being the one driving the outcome. Presenting the explanation may open up a debate and thus transform the situation into one where status becomes relevant. Having the explanation giving that person an opportunity to show himself as more powerful than the others through the display of his competencies.
Does it also say that the person is the more powerful one? Maybe not, as preferring an explanation may just as well be a preference to avoid uncertainty. The state of not knowing is uncomfortable for many. They then default towards explaining as it prevents the individual or group from experiencing insecurity. It’s running towards security.
Exploring on the other hand may be an endless project as well as a festival for those who enjoy hopping from one idea to the next.
But what it does, is give everyone the same opportunity to contribute to the exploration. It opens up the space to many ideas and answers while resenting the idea to be the fastest at finding an answer. There is little attachment to an outcome as the focus is on the process. Its point may be to find as many answers as possible, to give time for an optimal answer to emerge, or to prevent judgment to settle in too fast.
When using the exploration status will rarely result from knowledge or competence, but it will still play a role in the way people contribute and seek to be seen. What it does, however, is level hierarchical status among participants by allowing everyone to come into the exploration with their competencies. Depending on the way the group acts, it can thus choose to give more people in the group a voice by making them feel safe to share it.
One could assume that it is a question of the preference of an induvial if there will be more exploration or explanation. However, it might just as well be a manifestation of the group culture and what the group is looking for.
And this completes today’s exploration. There for sure is much more to it.
