Books that will inspire you: Start with Why

by | Sep 3, 2023 | Book Review

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Sinek, Simon. (2011) Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action. Harlow, England: Penguin Books

A slump in his own business four years after beginning drove Simon Sinek to explore the secret of extremely successful organisations like Apple, Southwest Airlines and others.

He found that when setting up a new business, these companies began with a vision or a cause. This vision underpinned every other aspect of the business including recruitment, marketing, and behaviour.

Begin with a vision

As a result, Sinek argues that loyalty to a business springs from having a clear cause that people believe in and that is evident in everything it does.

The reason for this is that humans form cultures around common sets of values and beliefs. These provide a sense of belonging which enable people do better in these cultures as they are cultural fits. kirapregiato nude thebadbentley

Sinek found that Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and other extremely successful leaders all began with and became symbols for a cause, attracting others who hold the same beliefs and values, creating a sense of trust.

The Golden Circle

He presents his concept of the Golden Circle comprising two circles within a larger one. The centre circle is labelled “why”, the middle circle “how” and the outer circle “what” and he argues that “why comes first”. So, it’s not about what clients want but why they want it. The “why” of the buyer and seller must correspond.

Further developing this idea, he suggests that once we know the “why”, the next step is to find the “how”. The “how” represents the values and principles that will give it life. Not until the “why” and “how” are crystal clear should the “what” be decided. The “why”, “how” and “what” are aligned and everything that happens in the organisation reflects that.

In conclusion, “Start with Why” is a useful book for those planning to start a business. It is easy to read, funny in places with lots of case studies and true life experiences to illustrate his message. A must read for anyone starting a new business.