It’s easy to get caught up in the details of what you do and how you do it. But what if you refocused your attention on why you do things? In his book, Simon Sinek argues that the why is what inspires action, excites people and keeps them motivated when the going gets tough. Sinek claims that by embodying this why and communicating it effectively, a person will become an inspirational leader. He explains, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” The author supports this thesis with various examples of companies and leaders who have succeeded by adopting a model he calls “The Golden Circle.” Imagine a target with different circles: the “what,” the “how,” and the “why” in the centre. He explains how each one of us can achieve greater success and satisfaction by inspiring others with a common goal, rather than adopting the coercive and manipulative tactics more commonly used in conventional marketing.
What lessons can be learned from this book?
In his book, Sinek provides a fresh definition of what constitutes true leadership and an excellent tool for restoring purposeful passion to your own work.
Inspirational quotes from the book
“Great companies don’t hire skilled people and motivate them, they hire already motivated people and inspire them.”
“Leadership requires two things: a vision of the world that does not yet exist and the ability to communicate it.”
“Working hard for something we do not care about is called stress, working hard for something we love is called passion.”
“Henry Ford summed it up best. ‘If I had asked people what they wanted,’ he said, ‘they would have said a faster horse.’”
Who should read Start with Why by Simon Sinek?
I recommend this book to any person, leader or business executive who wants to reconnect with the true reason why they are doing things. It’s an excellent tool to help you rediscover the deeper meaning underlying your work or company mission.
Enjoy your reading!
