Simon Sinek
Start With Why
ISBN: 978-1-59184-644-4
Have you ever thought about your “why”? What is the “why” for the work that you do? This is the question posed by viral TED-talker Simon Sinek in his book Start With Why. In the book, Sinek explains the reasoning behind why the “why” is so important in grounding and explaining everything a person and company does. If a company is not able to explain their “why,” the “what” and the “how” do not matter much, and the company begins to stagnate.
Sinek uncovers some of the secrets behind the most successful people and companies, and talks about when that success can begin to falter. If you’ve ever wondered how to gain followers and influence those around you, knowing your “why” gives you the foundation to move forward with confidence – it’s the confidence from knowing your purpose that attracts people to your cause. It’s tough to lead when you don’t know east from west. People look for guides and guideposts to plan future moves, and if you understand your own guideposts, you can function as that guide.
Companies that understand the “why” backwards and forwards also see the most success. Mission and vision statements are important, but keeping track of the “why” is paramount. Whenever a company falls into a slump, you can nearly always trace it back to a loss of understanding why a company is doing something and a switch to focusing primarily on the “what” or the “how” of the business. The “why” gives management, and by extension the employees, the reasoning to innovate and to expand a business, rather than just going through the motions. It’s always important to know “how” – a business needs a “how” – but the “why” is always going to be the inspiration behind the “how.”
Once you learn about your “why,” discipline and consistency are key. Merely discovering your purpose isn’t enough if you aren’t willing to put in the necessary work to fulfill it. This can happen both at a personal level, if you aren’t willing to put in the effort to improve yourself, and at the professional level, when a company says one thing and does another. Leaders and companies that have found and truly follow their “why” tend to see more success than those who find the “why” but continue in their old ways.
The anecdotes Sinek covered over the course of the book gave great examples of the importance of knowing the “why,” and he did a great job of putting everything together at the conclusion of the book. He gave both personal and professional examples of discovering and harnessing purpose. While it’s chock full of great examples, the book is definitely not a quick read. I spent several nights reading a chapter before bed so that I could sleep on what I’d covered. It really did feel like one of his talks from the Internet in each chapter.
Overall, 10/10, would highly recommend to anyone who feels as though they are in a personal or professional rut. Sometimes, a little bit of self-reflection can help anyone rediscover the chosen path. I know that this book would have helped me a few years ago, when I felt like I was spinning my wheels and unsure about what I should do with my life. Look inward and finding your “why” can be the breakthrough needed to propel you in a positive direction.