Do You Know Your Why?

Simon Sinek, author and TED talk presenter, knows the secret behind inspiring others. In his book, Start With Why, Simon breaks down the success of innovative companies into a diagram he calls The Golden Circle. By drawing on the examples of great inspirational leaders, such as Martin Luther King and Steve Jobs, Simon explains how adapting the principal of The Golden Circle can greatly impact your success as a leader, and a business executive.

The Golden Circle

Through the use of his Golden Circle, Simon explains that the true way to inspire others and catch their attention - is to harness the power of the why. 

To help explain the circle, let's break each component down:

What: This is what your organization does. Almost all leaders and business executives have a pretty good idea what their organization does. Whether it's raising funds for missionaries across the globe, raising awareness for breast cancer or providing a safe-house for women and children, you know what your organization does. 

How: This is how your organization does what you do. Many (but not all) leaders know how it's done. Do you canvass local communities for donations? Do you offer pro bono services in exchange for support? Do you choose to leverage the assets your organization owns? This is how you achieve what it is that you want to be doing. 

Why: This is why your organization exists. It's your mantra, your personal mission and your drive to make a different in your industry. Unfortunately, very few leaders and business owners take the time to uncover the true answer to why their organization exists. If you're answer is to be financially stable, you're heading up the wrong tree!

The Importance of Why

As human beings, we are hardwired with a desire to connect with others. However, when it comes to leading, selling or motivating, many people forget how to make a sincere connection. It's not something they do intentionally, but it tends to happen when they aren't entirely sure of their why. As Simon explains in his 2009 TED Talk, the why of your mission is your way of connecting with others. By communicating your why before anything else, you are able to capture the attention of those who believe what you believe. When you are passionate about your cause (and not just the results of it), you inspire others to want to be a part of it. 

Hiring Based on Your Why

Your story, your why and your dedication to your cause is what's going to draw like-minded people into your inner circle. This becomes incredibly important when you are expanding your organization and looking for others to join your team. If you are clear about your reasons for doing what you do, you will be better equipped to attract and recognize others with the same values. If your reasons are a little fuzzy, finding the right individuals to assist you in your mission will be a little difficult. 

As Simon discusses later on in the TED Talk, it is crucial to hire those who believe what you believe. Skills can be taught, and experience gained, but a deep routed interest in your cause should be valued above all else. A skilled employee who knows what you're doing will make you money; an inspired employee who knows why you're doing it, will take the torch and run. 

So the next time you are asked what you do for a living, take a moment to consider not only what you do, but why you do it. Are you embracing your why on a daily basis and leading by example? Are you providing others with a reason to follow you and your cause? 

We follow those who lead, not for them, but for ourselves. - Simon Sinek