Start with why -- how great leaders inspire action | Simon Sinek | TEDxPugetSound

Summary

Simon Sinek's talk 'Start with why' explores the concept that the most successful leaders and organizations, like Apple and Martin Luther King, inspire by communicating from a core 'why'— their purpose or belief. Sinek introduces the 'golden circle' model, emphasizing the importance of starting with 'why' rather than 'what' or 'how', to resonate emotionally and inspire loyalty. He explains that this approach appeals to our limbic brain, driving behavior and decision-making, and is crucial for attracting like-minded individuals to achieve mass-market success.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The importance of starting with 'why': Understanding the underlying purpose or belief that drives an organization or individual is crucial for inspiration and success.
• 💡 Simon Sinek's Golden Circle: A framework that suggests successful leaders and organizations communicate from the inside out, starting with 'why', then 'how', and finally 'what'.
• 🍎 Apple's differentiation: Apple's success is attributed to its ability to communicate its belief in challenging the status quo, which attracts customers who share the same values.
• 🌟 The power of belief: People are drawn to leaders and organizations that resonate with their own beliefs, rather than just the products or services offered.
• 🧠 Biological basis for 'why': The human brain is structured in a way that the limbic brain, responsible for feelings and decision-making, is more influenced by the 'why' than the 'what'.
• 🛠️ The role of purpose in innovation: Companies that start with a clear 'why' are more likely to inspire loyalty and attract the right talent, leading to innovation and success.
• 🛒 Consumers buy 'why': People are more likely to purchase from organizations that they believe in, rather than just the functionality or features of a product.
• 🌐 The diffusion of innovation: Successful mass-market acceptance of an idea requires reaching a tipping point of market penetration, which is influenced by the beliefs of early adopters.
• 🚀 The Wright brothers' example: Their success in powered flight was driven by a strong belief in the potential impact of their invention, attracting support and dedication from others.
• 📉 TiVo's failure to inspire: Despite having a superior product, TiVo's focus on 'what' rather than 'why' led to a lack of consumer adoption and commercial failure.
• 📈 Dr. King's success: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s ability to inspire a movement was rooted in his clear articulation of his beliefs, which resonated with and mobilized a large audience.

Q & A

What is the central theme of Simon Sinek's talk 'Start with why'?

The central theme of Simon Sinek's talk is the importance of understanding the 'why' behind what an organization or individual does, as opposed to just focusing on the 'what' and 'how'. He argues that the most successful and inspiring leaders and organizations communicate from the inside out, starting with their 'why'.

What does Simon Sinek refer to as the 'golden circle'?

The 'golden circle' is a concept introduced by Simon Sinek to describe the pattern he discovered in which all great and inspiring leaders and organizations operate. It consists of three parts: 'Why', 'How', and 'What', with 'Why' at the center, representing the purpose or belief that drives an organization or individual.

According to Simon Sinek, why is Apple considered innovative year after year?

Sinek suggests that Apple's innovation is not just because they are a computer company, but because they have a different 'why'. They challenge the status quo and think differently, which is their core belief, and this is what makes them stand out and appear more innovative.

How does Simon Sinek explain the success of the Wright brothers in achieving controlled, powered man flight?

Sinek explains that the Wright brothers' success was due to their belief and purpose, which was to change the course of the world with their flying machine. Their drive was not just for wealth or fame, but for the cause they believed in, which attracted others to support their dream.

What is the difference between the way most organizations communicate and how Apple communicates according to the script?

Most organizations communicate from the outside in, starting with what they do and how they are different, expecting a behavior like a purchase. Apple, on the other hand, communicates from the inside out, starting with why they challenge the status quo and what they believe in, which makes their products desirable.

Why does Simon Sinek argue that people don't buy what you do, but why you do it?

Sinek argues this because people are more likely to be loyal and supportive of an organization or cause if they connect with the underlying beliefs and values that drive it. This connection is what influences their behavior and decision-making.

What is the significance of the 'why' in the context of the human brain as explained by Simon Sinek?

The 'why' is significant because it speaks directly to the limbic part of the human brain, which is responsible for feelings, trust, loyalty, and all human behavior and decision-making. Communicating the 'why' allows people to rationalize it with the tangible 'what' and 'how'.

How does Simon Sinek relate the concept of 'why' to the law of diffusion of innovation?

Sinek relates the 'why' to the law of diffusion of innovation by stating that those who believe in the 'why' are the innovators and early adopters who drive the success of an idea or product. Attracting people who believe in the same 'why' is crucial for achieving mass-market acceptance.

What is the difference between a leader and those who lead, according to Simon Sinek?

A leader may hold a position of power or authority, but those who lead are the ones who inspire us. We follow those who lead not because we have to, but because we want to, and it's those who start with 'why' that have the ability to inspire others.

Why did Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech attract such a large crowd without any formal invitations or announcements?

Dr. King's speech attracted a large crowd because he communicated his beliefs and inspired people who shared those beliefs. They came not for him, but for themselves and what they believed in, which was the cause of racial equality.

What is the key takeaway from the story of Samuel Pierpont Langley and the Wright brothers as told by Simon Sinek?

The key takeaway is that having the right resources, connections, and qualifications does not guarantee success. It is the 'why', the purpose, and the belief that truly drives success. Langley was motivated by fame and wealth, while the Wright brothers were driven by a cause, which ultimately led to their success.