I Start With Why.
Simon Sinek fundamentally changed the way I live, work, and play.
Today I saw the new Simon Sinek TED Talk on leadership. It is his second talk, this time digging more deeply into the meaning and function of leadership and the way leaders define organizations. As usual, these connections and discoveries happen with purpose, and this topic happens to be completely appropriate and synchronous with what I am working on now.
I want to share how I was introduced to Simon and his insights into human behaviour, and how it has massively impacted everything I do.
Sometimes we are gifted with moments that define our way of being. For some people this is a religious or faith experience. For others a moment of enlightenment or understanding, or perhaps a connection or relationship that alters our life at a basic level. For those that are open, aware, and seeking, it can be any combination of these moments, or, if you are focused on possibility, maybe even a weekly or daily occurrence. Transcendence, illumination, elucidation... all words that describe a shift in thought that brings greater clarity, purpose, and focus. For me, Start With Why was one of those moments.
I first watched Simon present on the Golden Circle in 2010. It was one of the first TED talks I experienced. Being new to the format I wasn't sure what to expect, and the quality of the video and audio of this early TEDx conference didn't inspire a lot of confidence. That changed as Simon delved into the material. Although I wouldn't describe his idea as groundbreaking or revolutionary, his ability to portray it in a way that was accessible and meaningful certainly was. He was able to distill the concept down to it's most basic tenets, and give concrete examples of why it works in real life. He spoke to me in a way that broke through my perceptions and allowed the seed for change to be implanted in my brain.
It took me a long time to internalize and understand how to make real changes to my way of thinking. To realize that I had to alter both my perception and my reactions in all situations. That I had to not only understand my why, but also the why of the people around me, before I would be able to have a real effect on the outcome of all of my relationships.
I don't recommend people, books, places, or things to my circle lightly. I am keenly aware of the value of my friends' time and space, and I never introduce something into their world that isn't meaningful. There are only two books that I have bought and given away dozens of copies to others. Start With Why is one of them.
This book has made me better in business. It's made me more effective, more aware, more mindful, and more powerful. It has made me a better person, a better partner, and a better parent. It is one of the few insights I have recognized that drastically and deeply changed my perception of the world, and made me better equipped to live in it.
Mentor, Futurpreneur Canada
Ben Beveridge
Inspiring Excellence Inc.
VP, Business Development
Mentor, Futurpreneur Canada
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