Simon Sinek's Advice Will Leave You SPEECHLESS (MUST WATCH)

Summary

This script explores the distinction between stress and passion, emphasizing the importance of finding one's purpose beyond a job title. It offers five life lessons: pursuing what you want without hindering others, taking accountability for one's actions, the value of teamwork and helping others, the power of listening and being the last to speak, and maintaining humility despite success. The narrative uses anecdotes and historical examples to illustrate these principles, advocating for a life of passion, purpose, and personal growth.

Takeaways

• 🔥 The distinction between stress and passion lies in the personal connection to the work; stress is the result of working hard for something one doesn't care about, while passion is the drive to work hard for something one loves.
• 🧩 It's a common misconception that purpose comes from a job; people often tie their self-worth to their occupation, leading to a loss of purpose when they leave that job.
• 💡 Purpose is not defined by one's job; it's a broader concept that shouldn't be conflated with professional roles.
• 🏃‍♂️ The first rule to finding one's spark is to pursue what you want without hindering others from pursuing their desires.
• 👀 The story of the 'free bagel' illustrates two perspectives on life: one that sees the goal and one that sees the obstacles.
• 🤲 The importance of taking accountability for one's actions is highlighted by the historical example of 'puerto fever', emphasizing that sometimes we are the problem and must take responsibility.
• 🤝 The third lesson is about the importance of looking out for one another, as exemplified by the Navy SEALs' ethos of helping each other to achieve their goals.
• 🗣️ Listening and being the last to speak, as Nelson Mandela learned from his father, is crucial for effective leadership and ensures that everyone feels heard and valued.
• 💼 The difference between a supportive and a stifling work environment is highlighted by the contrasting experiences of a barista at the Four Seasons versus Caesar's Palace.
• 🏆 The recognition of one's position versus personal worth is a lesson in humility and gratitude, reminding us that perks and privileges are tied to the role we hold, not to us as individuals.
• 🌱 The final takeaway is the importance of patience, especially for the younger generation, in understanding that meaningful achievements and personal growth take time and effort.

Q & A

What is the difference between stress and passion according to the speaker?

The speaker defines stress as working hard for something one doesn't care about, while passion is working hard for something one loves.

Why might people lose their sense of purpose when they retire or lose their job?

People might lose their sense of purpose because they have closely associated their self-worth with their job, conflating their identity with their professional role.

What does the speaker suggest is a common mistake people make regarding their purpose?

The common mistake is associating purpose solely with one's job, which can lead to a loss of purpose when that job is no longer part of their life.

What are the five little rules mentioned by the speaker to find one's spark and bring it to life?

The speaker does not explicitly list all five rules in the transcript, but the first rule discussed is to go after the things that one wants.

What lesson can be learned from the story about the bagels in Central Park?

The lesson is that there are two ways to see the world: focusing on what one wants or focusing on the obstacles that prevent one from getting what they want.

What historical example does the speaker use to illustrate the importance of taking accountability for one's actions?

The speaker uses the example of 'puerto fever,' or 'childbed fever,' and how doctors were unknowingly spreading the disease until they started washing their hands and sterilizing their instruments.

What is the significance of the United States Navy SEALs in the third lesson provided by the speaker?

The significance is that those who make it through SEALs training are not necessarily the strongest or most capable individuals, but those who are best at helping each other, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and mutual support.

What does the speaker suggest is the key to becoming an elite warrior, according to the SEALs?

The key is not about individual toughness, intelligence, or speed, but about being really good at helping the person to the left and the right, highlighting the importance of taking care of each other.

Why does the speaker recommend being the last to speak in a group setting?

Being the last to speak allows one to listen to everyone else's opinions, making them feel heard and contributing to the discussion, and also enables one to form a more informed opinion based on the collective input.

What is the main difference between the experiences of the barista Noah at the Four Seasons and Caesar's Palace?

At the Four Seasons, Noah feels supported and able to be himself, while at Caesar's Palace, he feels like he's constantly being monitored for mistakes and just trying to get through the day.

What lesson does the former undersecretary of defense impart about the treatment one receives based on their position?

The lesson is that the perks and special treatment one receives are not because of who they are as a person, but because of the position they hold, emphasizing the importance of humility and gratitude.

What advice does the speaker give to young professionals who feel they are not making an impact quickly enough?

The speaker advises patience, explaining that significant achievements and personal growth take time and that the journey is often long and difficult, but worth the effort.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Embracing Passion Over Stress

This paragraph discusses the difference between stress and passion, emphasizing that purpose is not solely tied to one's job. The speaker shares a personal realization that losing a job can lead to a loss of purpose if self-worth is too closely tied to professional identity. To find one's purpose, the speaker suggests five rules, starting with the importance of pursuing what one wants, illustrated by a story about a friend who chose not to wait in line for a free bagel, symbolizing the different perspectives people have on what's worth pursuing in life.

05:02

🤝 The Power of Accountability and Teamwork

The second paragraph delves into the importance of accountability and teamwork. It recounts the historical example of 'puerto fever' and how the simple act of doctors washing their hands revolutionized childbirth safety. This serves as a metaphor for personal accountability. The paragraph also highlights the ethos of the U.S. Navy SEALs, emphasizing that those who look out for their comrades are the ones who succeed, not those who simply want to prove their own toughness. The message is clear: taking care of each other and being the last to speak, allowing others to be heard, are critical to leadership and success.

10:03

🌟 Creating an Environment for Success

In the third paragraph, the focus shifts to the impact of leadership on the environment and the people within it. Using the example of a barista named Noah, the speaker illustrates how a supportive and caring work environment can inspire employees to love their jobs, as opposed to places where managers only focus on correcting mistakes. The narrative reinforces the idea that leadership is not about having the right people, but about creating the right conditions for them to thrive. Additionally, the speaker shares a story about an undersecretary of defense to underscore the lesson of humility and gratitude, reminding us that perks and privileges are tied to the position, not the individual.

🌱 The Importance of Patience and Self-Discovery

The final paragraph addresses the impatience of the younger generation and the desire for immediate impact. It uses the metaphor of climbing a mountain to explain that achieving goals takes time and effort. The speaker encourages the audience to have patience and to understand what truly drives and inspires them. The paragraph concludes with a reminder that the journey to fulfillment is a long one, but with the right mindset and desire, one can reach their summit.

Keywords

💡Stress

Stress, in the context of the video, refers to the feeling of being overwhelmed or under too much pressure, often due to working hard for something that does not bring personal fulfillment. It is contrasted with 'passion' to highlight the difference between laboring for external reasons versus internal motivation. The script uses the concept to emphasize the importance of finding a sense of purpose that aligns with one's personal values and interests.

💡Passion

Passion is described as the driving force behind working hard for something one deeply cares about. It is portrayed as a positive and fulfilling counterpart to stress, suggesting that when individuals pursue their interests and love, their efforts are not just laborious but are infused with a sense of purpose and enjoyment. The video encourages finding and pursuing one's passion as a key to a meaningful life.

💡Purpose

Purpose is a central theme in the video, defined as a sense of direction or a reason for existence that goes beyond one's job or profession. The speaker argues against confining one's sense of purpose to their occupation, illustrating with the example of job loss or retirement leading to a loss of direction. The concept is used to inspire individuals to seek a deeper meaning in life that is not solely dependent on their career.

💡Accountability

Accountability is highlighted as the responsibility one takes for one's actions, both positive and negative. The video uses the historical example of 'puerto fever' to illustrate the importance of recognizing one's role in a problem and taking steps to correct it. It is tied to personal growth and the development of a strong character that acknowledges and learns from mistakes.

💡Helping Each Other

The concept of helping each other is presented as a fundamental principle for success and survival, especially in challenging situations. The video uses the example of the Navy SEALs to show that those who support their comrades and work as a team are more likely to overcome adversity. It is a call to action for mutual support and collaboration in achieving common goals.

💡Leadership

Leadership in the video is depicted as more than just holding a position of power; it is about the ability to inspire, guide, and create an environment where others can thrive. The story of Nelson Mandela's father and the Four Seasons' barista Noah exemplify different leadership styles and their impact on people's motivation and job satisfaction.

💡Patience

Patience is emphasized as a necessary quality for achieving long-term goals and finding fulfillment. The video points out the impatience of the younger generation, expecting immediate impact, and contrasts it with the understanding that meaningful achievements often require time and perseverance.

💡Humility

Humility is portrayed as an important trait for leaders, reminding them that the privileges and recognition they receive are often due to their position rather than their personal merits. The 'ceramic cup' story illustrates the difference between personal worth and the temporary status that comes with a title or position.

💡Gratitude

Gratitude is the appreciation for what one has, including the perks and recognition that come with success. The video encourages maintaining a sense of gratitude for these privileges while understanding that they are not inherently deserved but are part of the position one holds.

💡Impact

Impact, in the video, refers to the desire to make a significant difference in the world. It is used to discuss the unrealistic expectations of immediate influence that some young professionals have, highlighting the need for patience and the understanding that meaningful impact is often the result of a long and challenging journey.

💡Self-Worth

Self-worth is the intrinsic value that a person holds, independent of their job or external achievements. The video script warns against conflating self-worth with professional identity, suggesting that a sense of self-worth should be rooted in personal values and passions, not just job titles or roles.

Highlights

The distinction between stress and passion lies in whether the work is for something one cares about or not.

People often mistake their job for their life's purpose, which can lead to a loss of purpose upon job loss or retirement.

Purpose is not tied to one's job title or daily tasks but is something more significant and personal.

Rule one for finding your spark is to pursue what you want without hindering others from doing the same.

The story of the bagels illustrates two perspectives: seeing what you want versus the obstacles to getting it.

Rule two emphasizes taking accountability for one's actions, learning from mistakes, and balancing credit with responsibility.

The historical example of 'puerto fever' demonstrates the importance of recognizing when one might be part of the problem.

Rule three is about community and mutual support, as illustrated by the ethos of the Navy SEALs.

Nurturing an environment of support and helping others is key to personal and collective advancement.

Rule four suggests the importance of listening and being the last to speak to ensure all voices are heard.

Nelson Mandela's leadership style highlights the value of listening and humility in leadership.

The story of the barista, Noah, shows how a supportive work environment can foster job satisfaction.

Leadership should focus on creating the right environment rather than just finding the right people.

The lesson of the 'ceramic cup' is about recognizing that perks are often tied to one's position, not personal worth.

Humility and gratitude are essential as one achieves success and recognition.

The importance of patience and understanding the journey to making an impact takes time.

The necessity for the younger generation to learn patience and the value of time in achieving meaningful goals.

Transcripts

working hard for something we don't care

about is called stress

working hard for something we love is

called passion

i think one of the mistakes that people

make is they think purpose comes from

their job i've been a whatever for so

many years and when then i

lose my job or i retire i now don't have

a sense of purpose because i've i so

closely associated my self-worth with

the job that i did i knew what my job

was i had a sense of purpose and one

wonders if those things are conflated

right which is i had a sense of purpose

for my job and then when i didn't have

the job all of a sudden i sense i woke

up in the morning didn't know what to do

the purpose is not your mos your purpose

is not you're a saw gunner your purpose

is not the job that you wake up to do

every day your purpose is something

bigger i have five little rules that you

can follow as you

find your spark and bring your spark to

life

the first

is to go after the things that you want

let me tell you a story

so a friend of mine and i

we went for a run in central park

the road runners organization

uh on the weekends they host races

and it's very common at the end of the

race they'll have a sponsor who will

give away something apples or bagels or

something and on this particular day

when we got to the end of the run

there were some free bagels and they had

picnic tables set up and on one side was

a group of volunteers on the table were

boxes of bagels and on the other side

was a long line of runners waiting to

get their free bagel so i said to my

friend let's let's get a bagel and he

looked at me and said ah the line's too

long

and i said free bagel

and he said i don't want to wait

in line

and i was like

free bagel

and he says nah let's it's too long

and that's when i realized that there's

two ways to see the world

some people see the thing that they want

and some people see the thing that

prevents them from getting the thing

that they want

i could only see the bagels

he could only see the line

because the rule is you can go after

whatever you want you just cannot deny

anyone else

to go after whatever they want you don't

have to do it the way everybody else has

done it

you can do it your way

you can break the rules you just can't

get in the way of somebody else getting

what they want

rule number two

in the

18th century there was something that

spread across europe and eventually made

its way to america puerto fever also

known as the black death of childbed

basically what was happening

is women were giving birth

and they would die within 48 hours after

giving birth

this black death of childbirth

was the ravage of europe and it got

worse and worse and worse over the

course of over a century and these

doctors and men of science wanted to

study and try and find the reason

for this black death of

childbed and so they got to work

studying and they would study the

corpses

of the women who had died and in the

morning they would conduct autopsies

and then in the afternoon they would go

and deliver babies and finish their

rounds

and it wasn't until somewhere in the

mid-1800s

that oliver wendell holmes realized

that all of these doctors were

conducting autopsies in the morning

weren't washing their hands before they

delivered babies in the afternoon

and he pointed it out and said guys

you're the problem

and they ignored him and called him

crazy

for 30 years

until finally somebody realized that if

they simply washed their hands

it would go away

and that's exactly what happened when

they started sterilizing their

instruments and washing their hands the

black death of childbed

disappeared the lesson here is

sometimes you're the problem

take accountability for your actions you

can take all the credit in the world for

the things that you do right as long as

you also take responsibility for the

things you do wrong it must be a

balanced equation you don't get it one

way and not the other

you get to take credit

when you also take accountability lesson

three take care of each other

the united states navy seals

are perhaps the most elite warriors in

the world

and

one of the seals

was asked

who makes it through the selection

process who is able

to become a seal and his answer was

i can't tell you the kind of person

that becomes a seal i can't tell you the

kind of person that makes it through

buds but i can tell you the kind of

people who don't become seals

he says the guys that show up with huge

bulging muscles covered in tattoos who

want to prove to the world how tough

they are

none of them

make it through

he said the preening leaders who like to

delegate all their responsibility and

never do anything themselves none of

them make it through he says some of the

guys that make it through are skinny and

scrawny he said some of the guys that

make it through you will see them

shivering out of fear

he says however

all the guys that make it through when

they find themselves

physically spent

emotionally spent when they have nothing

left to give physically or emotionally

somehow some way they are able to find

the energy to dig down deep inside

themselves

to find the energy to help the guy next

to them they become seals

he said

you want to be an elite warrior it's not

about how tough you are

it's not about how smart you are it's

not about how fast you are if you want

to be an elite warrior you better get

really really good at helping the person

to the left of you and helping the

person to the right of you

because that's how people advance in the

world

the world is too dangerous and the world

is too difficult for you to think that

you can do these things alone if you

find your spark i commend you now who

you gonna ask for help and when are you

going to accept help when it's offered

learn that skill

learn by practicing helping each other

it'll be the single most valuable thing

you ever learn in your entire life to

accept help when it's offered and to ask

for it when you know that you can't do

it

the amazing thing is when you learn to

ask for help you'll discover that there

are people all around you who've always

wanted to help you they just didn't

think you needed it because you kept

pretending that you had everything under

control

and the minute you say i don't know what

i'm doing i'm stuck i'm scared i don't

think i can do this

you will find that lots of people who

love you will rush in and take care of

you

but that'll only happen if you learn to

take care of them first lesson four

nelson mandela is

a particularly special case study in the

leadership world because he is

universally regarded as a great leader

you can take other personalities and

depending on the nation you go to we

have different opinions about other

personalities but nelson mandela across

the world is universally regarded as a

great leader

and he was asked one day

how did you learn to be a great

leader and he responded that he would go

with his father

to tribal meetings

and he remembers two things when his

father would meet with other elders

one they would always sit in a circle

and two his father

was always the last to speak

you will be told your whole life that

you need to learn to listen i would say

that you need to learn to be the last to

speak i see it in boardrooms every day

of the week even people who consider

themselves good leaders who may actually

be decent leaders will walk into a room

and say here's the problem here's what i

think but i'm interested in your opinion

let's go around the room it's too late

the skill to hold your opinions to

yourself until everyone has spoken does

two things one it gives everybody else

the feeling that they have been heard

it gives everyone else the ability to

feel that they have contributed

and two you get the benefit of hearing

what everybody else has to think before

you render your opinion to keep your

opinions to yourself if you agree with

somebody don't nod yes

if you disagree with somebody don't not

know simply sit there take it all in and

the only thing you're allowed to do is

ask questions so that you can understand

what they mean and why they have the

opinion that they have you must

understand

from where they are speaking

why they have the opinion they have not

just what they are saying practice being

the last to speak

one afternoon i went to buy a cup of

coffee and there was a barista by the

name of noah who was serving me noah was

fantastic he was friendly and fun

and he was engaging with me and i had so

much fun buying a cup of coffee i

actually think i gave 100 tip

right he was wonderful

so as is my nature i asked noah do you

like your job and without skipping a

beat noah says

i love my job

and so i followed up i said what is it

that the four seasons is doing

that would make you say to me

i love my job and without skipping a

beat

noah said throughout the day managers

will walk past me and ask me how i'm

doing if there's anything that i need to

do my job better he said not just my

manager

any manager

and then he said something magical

he says

i also work at caesar's palace and

caesar's at caesar's palace the managers

are trying to make sure we're doing

everything right they catch us when we

do things wrong

he says when i go to work there i like

to keep my head under the radar and just

get through the day so i can get my

paycheck

he says here at the four seasons i feel

i can be

myself

so we in leadership are always

criticizing the people we're always

saying we've got to get the right people

on the bus i've got to fill my wrong my

team i got to get the right people but

the reality is it's not the people it's

the leadership if we create the right

environment we will get people like noah

at the four seasons if we create the

wrong environment we will get people

like noah

at caesar's palace

there was a former undersecretary of

defense who was invited to give a speech

at a large conference about a thousand

people and he was standing on the stage

with his cup of coffee and styrofoam cup

and he took a sip of his coffee and he

smiled and he looked down at the coffee

and then he went off script

and he said you know last year i spoke

at this exact same conference

last year i was still the undersecretary

and when i spoke here last year they

flew me here business class

and when i arrived at the airport there

was somebody waiting for me to take me

to my hotel

and they took me to my hotel and they

had already checked me in and they just

took me up to my room and the next

morning i came downstairs and there was

someone waiting in the lobby to greet me

and they drove me to this here same

venue and handed me a cup of coffee in a

beautiful ceramic cup

he says i'm no longer the undersecretary

i flew here coach

i took a taxi to my hotel and i checked

myself in

when i came down the lobby this morning

i took another taxi to this venue and

when i asked someone do you have any

coffee he pointed to the coffee machine

in the corner and i poured myself a cup

of coffee into this here styrofoam cup

he says the lesson is

the ceramic cup was never meant for me

it was meant for the position i held

i deserved a styrofoam cup

remember this

as you gain fame

as you gain fortune

as you gain position and seniority

people will treat you better

they will hold doors open for you they

will get you a cup of tea and coffee

without you even asking none of that

stuff is meant for you

that stuff is meant for the position you

hold

it is meant for the level that you have

achieved of leader or success or

whatever you want to call it but you

will always

deserve

a styrofoam cup remember that lesson of

humility and gratitude you can accept

all the free stuff you can accept all

the perks

absolutely you can enjoy them but just

be grateful for them and know that

they're not for you

and so i keep meeting these wonderful

fantastic idealistic hard-working smart

kids they've just graduated school

they're in their entry-level job i sit

down with them when i go how's it going

they go i think i'm gonna quit

i'm like why

they're like i'm not making an impact

i'm like you've been here eight months

it's as if they're standing at the foot

of a mountain and they have this

abstract concept called impact they want

to have in the world

which is the summit what they don't see

is the mountain i don't care if you go

up the mountain quickly or slowly but

there's still a mountain

and so what this young generation needs

to learn is patience

that some things that really really

matter like love

or job fulfillment joy

love of life self-confidence

a skill set any of these things all of

these things take time

sometimes you can expedite pieces of it

but the overall journey

is arduous and long and difficult

all you need to do is have the will and

the desire to want to understand what

drives and inspires you

you