Start With Why

A Book Review

I knew of Simon Sinek before I read the book.  Through social media I found a link to a great video on TED (see below).  The video was very inspiring, and I knew there was a related book, so once I saw it on the shelves I was keen to read it.

The subline of the book is “How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action”.  And he sticks to this point throughout the book.

In a nutshell, the book focuses on a few companies we are very familiar with, that are the current movers and shakers in their business.

Simon uses tools and great metaphors to get his point across, and the Golden Circle is my favourite, showing how an organisation SHOULD function, and set itself up to be around in the long run.

Here’s a quick look at what you will find in the book:

Contents:

PART 1: A World That Doesn’t Start With Why

1. Assume You Know
2. Carrots and Sticks

PART 2: An Alternative Perspective

3. The Golden Circle
4. This is Not Opinion, This is Biology
5. Clarity, Discipline and Consistency

PART 3: Leaders Need a Following

6. The Emergence of Trust
7. How a Tipping Point Tips

PART 4: How to Rally Those Who Believe

8. Start with Why, but Know How
9. Know Why, Know How, Then What?
10. Communication is Not About Speaking, It’s About Listening

PART 5: The Biggest Challenge is Success

11. When WHY Goes Fuzzy
12. Split Happens

PART 6: Discover Why

13. The Origins of a Why
14. The New Competition

Overall, I loved this book.  This should be mandatory reading for business and management schools worldwide.  It’s completely true, that we get bombarded with WHAT businesses do and HOW they do it all the time.  Yet they forget that the most important message they should be promoting is WHY!

Hear a little from Simon below:

What is your why? It may be the secret to your uptapped success. I welcome your feedback and comments below.