Why you should start with "why"

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Why you should start with "why"

Posted May 5th, 2010 at 4:19 PM and seen

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Simon Sinek explains how great leaders inspire action and innovation by focusing on the Why, not the How or the What.

Hat tip to @JoeMoreno for pointing this out.

More innovation tips and tricks.

Guy Kawasaki

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about 2 years ago locspoc responded:

another great ted talk, love it!

about 2 years ago nelsonwee (Twitter) responded:

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Being Inspired about the WHY -> bringing out the child in us, the wonder which gives out the WOW in things we believe, things we do, things we sell.

about 2 years ago Mike_Lewitz (Twitter) responded:

I really like Simon's ideas and think he illustrates the crucial importance of having a resounding and clearly-focused 'why' in business and life and following that passion, and he does so with a model that makes intuitive sense.

However, his supporting arguments are a bit flawed and he's confusing various components. If what he says is definitively true in the absolute and purest form, according to Simon, Apple would be a mega-giant, overshadowing every computer manufacturer ...which clearly is not the case.

In fact, to use Simon's Apple example, to "challenge the status quo" requires someone else, someone much larger and more influential, to create the status quo in the first place.

Is Simon suggesting that Dell USED to have a 'why' and doesn't anymore?

Too far of a stretch.

There are perfectly valid reasons why Dell and Gateway didn't have success with their competitive line-extensions, the least of which is a lack of 'why' for the company direction, even if each of their marketing messages were inadequate. Simon's "neat & fits in this perfect box" supportive argument is weak.

Fundamentally, Simon (like many people in business) assume that the success of a company is ultimately about the products they produce, which is clearly not the case. Anyone who's spent any time in sales knows full well that the greatest products in the world will NEVER sell themselves, but great marketing will always be able to sell products that don't exist.

The most amazing component of this video is in watching how the human mind makes decisions based entirely on an irrational, emotional basis and then seeks out logical justification to prove the emotionally-based decision is right.

Nevertheless, I still completely agree with his principle message, even if his supporting arguments are invalid.

Thank you for sharing, Guy!

Mike Lewitz
http://mikelewitz.com

about 2 years ago Nick Hill responded:

Really enjoyed the video. Some good information and great tips for anyone interested in refining their language delivery in readiness for sales. Great post.

about 2 years ago Al Andersen responded:

Amazing! I worked 25 years for companies that never communicated their "WHY". Now we help companies determine their company WHY and layer the Purple Cow Innovation principle on top of it. This is the most fun that I have ever had. We found our "ART". Keep sending out these nuggets and positive messaging.

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Why you should start with "why"