As I dig into Start With Why by Simon Sinek, I am starting to realize the power of his words in regard to the psychology of leadership and its impact on the bottom line.
His book led me to some of his various videos on the web. My findings, which includes the 3rd most-watched TED talk of all time, is below. You will see an emerging pattern, that leadership and overall business success come from a person’s or a company’s WHY.
Not their how or their what, it is their why that makes them successful.
Leadership is a responsibility that not everyone wants. Rank is different from leadership because leadership creates a productive environment that enables everyone to do their best. An effective leader is driven by a very strong WHY.
Read More: Outwork Book Club: Start With Why
We are highly trained social animals. If you understand basic truth, you will understand how to influence people; regardless if they are employees or customers. As highly attuned animals, leadership application is always the same in that we respond to the environment that we are in. This is what makes the idea of service so powerful, we are wired to help others.
Apple is the most innovative company, year after year. Why do they seem to have something different? There is something else at play and that thing is not transparent. Sinek made a discovery that changed his view of the world; there is a reoccurring pattern among many great visionaries and organizations. Sinek codified it — The Golden Circle of why, how and what. Why lies at the center of the circle and the best in the world communicate from the inside out. They start with why.
Sinek routinely works with the military and in turn, the military has adopted his work as a developmental tool for their leaders. In the military, everyone is willing to sacrifice themselves so that others may live. In business, no one is willing to sacrifice anything. Leaders like the ones in the Military are not born, they are made. As social animals, the environment in which we live and work in matters. It affects us at a deep and personal level. Leaders are responsible for creating an environment for people to thrive, not just work.
Read More: Leaders Eat Last (amazon)
Onward,
Chief
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