Why Great Leaders Start With Why

       

Knowing Your Why

Knowing your why will not only help you become successful, but it can also help you maintain lasting success.

When we communicate from the inside out, we speak directly to the part of the brain that influences decision-making. The language part of our brain then helps us rationalize those decisions.

John F. Kennedy believed that great leaders trust their gut. They understand the art before the science. They win hearts before minds. They are the ones who start with why.

You have to know why you do what you do.

People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.

Once you know why you do what you do, the next question is how you will do it. The how represents the values and principles that guide how you bring your cause to life.

Everything you say and everything you do should reflect what you believe. A why is simply a belief.

The only way people will know what you believe is through the things you say and do. If your actions and words are not consistent, people will find it difficult to understand what you truly believe.

Authenticity means that your Golden Circle is in balance.

Sometimes, it is simply about trusting your gut when something feels right. When you put your why into words, it gives you emotional clarity when making decisions.

Finally, always remember to work towards something bigger than yourself.

The concept of “Start With Why” was popularized by leadership author Simon Sinek. You can learn more about his work on Simon Sinek’s official website.

If you enjoy reflections like this, explore more articles on my personal growth blog:
https://lashinianpalagan.com/

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does “Start With Why” mean?

“Start With Why” means understanding the purpose, belief, or reason behind what you do before focusing on what you do or how you do it.

2. Who created the Golden Circle?

The Golden Circle was popularized by leadership author Simon Sinek. It explains the relationship between why, how, and what.

3. What are the three parts of the Golden Circle?

The three parts are Why, How, and What. Why represents your purpose, How represents the values and principles behind your actions, and What represents the products, services, or actions you take.

4. Why is knowing your why important?

Knowing your why can give you a clearer sense of direction and help you make decisions that are consistent with what you believe.

5. How does knowing your why help leaders?

A clear why can help leaders communicate their purpose and connect with people on a deeper level. It can also help create consistency between what they believe and what they do.

6. What is the difference between why, how, and what?

Why is your purpose or belief. How describes the values and principles you use to bring that purpose to life. What is the actual work, product, or action.

7. How can I find my own why?

Start by thinking about what matters most to you, what motivates you, what problems you want to solve, and what kind of impact you want to make. Looking at your past experiences can also help you identify patterns and discover your purpose.