Book Review of Start with Why, How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action by Simon Sinek

 

The author, Simon Winek, uses practical examples to reach the reader and asks “Why?”  The challenge is to find the career or subject area that inspires, and the skill to inspire others or yourself as a leader. The author, Simon Sinek, asks the leader to find the one thing in the world that drives him or her, the one thing that matters, that makes him or her want to and indeed arise in the morning to go to work. Is it work to live or live to work?

So there are 2 themes: 1. For the leader to motivate and inspire others, and 2. For the follower or user to identify what motivates him or her to succeed, or want to succeed. Simon Sinek, then asks the user to define what does success mean given that WHY has been defined. The reader has to believe in those values that are being communicated, they resonate due to their alignment with the reader’s own values. They believe that’s what makes the company better and indeed, this makes the company better. It’s a matter of understanding.

He also asks if you were to be offered more money, would you leave your company?  Why? Is it salary and other financial goals that drives your success or is it something that is lacking in the company’s strategy or being?

Simon Winek also mentions that “it is not logic or facts but our hopes and dreams, our hearts and our guts, that drive us to try new things.” From emigrating to this country to enrolling for an educational degree to learning a new board game or reading a new author. It involves following a manager or wanting to work for a company where there is clarity of focus and values, and trust that the company believes their mission. It is to make the world a better place and give the customer a “better” experience.

People working together with camaraderie and trust and with team work. They believe in the bigger picture. This is what motivates people and encourages them to stay at their current employer.

Many lines of discussion and thoughts by asking the one word, “Why?”.   The author asks the reader to answer 2 questions:

1. Is there a work environment where you can thrive and grow as a person?
2. Can you feel like you make a difference?

  Trying to answer these questions make this book transformative.