“Start with Why” by Simon Sinek

“Start with Why” is a book written by Simon Sinek which explores the concept of why some individuals and organizations are able to inspire while others are not. The book argues that the most successful leaders and organizations start with a clear sense of purpose or “why” they do what they do, and that this is the key to inspiring others. Sinek suggests that by understanding and communicating the “why” behind what we do, we can inspire others to join us in our mission. The book provides practical examples from companies such as Apple, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Wright Brothers to illustrate the power of starting with why. The author also explores the biology of decision-making and how the “why” is the most important part of the decision-making process for individuals and organizations. The book is intended for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone looking to inspire others and drive change. The author’s main argument is that people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.

The 10 most important recommandations

“Start with Why” by Simon Sinek is a book that explores the concept of inspiring leadership and how it can be applied to product development. The book provides several recommendations that can be useful for product people. Here are the ten most important recommendations from the book and why they are important for product people:

1. “Start with why” Product people should start by understanding and communicating the “why” behind their product, which is the purpose or the belief that inspires them to create it. This will help them to inspire others to join them in their mission and to create a product that truly resonates with customers.
2. “Find your golden circle” Product people should define their why, how and what, in order to understand their own beliefs and how they align with their product.
3. “Create a clear vision” Product people should create a clear and inspiring vision for their product, which outlines its purpose and what it aims to achieve.
4. “Focus on the customer” Product people should always keep the customer in mind when developing their product and consider what their customers truly need and want.
5. “Inspire Action” Product people should inspire their team and customers to take action by communicating the purpose and vision of their product in a clear and compelling way.
6. “Communicate with Clarity” Product people should be able to clearly communicate their product’s message and purpose, in order to resonate with customers and inspire them to take action.
7. “Lead by example” Product people should lead by example and be true to their product’s purpose and vision, in order to build trust and credibility with their team and customers.
8. “Challenge the status quo” Product people should be open-minded and willing to challenge the status quo in order to come up with new and innovative ideas for their product.
9. “Create a sense of belonging” Product people should create a sense of belonging around their product by building a community of customers and team members who share the same values and beliefs.
10. “Focus on the long-term” Product people should focus on the long-term success of their product and be patient when it comes to achieving their goals, rather than being driven solely by short-term success.

These recommendations are important for product people because they provide a framework for creating an inspiring and successful product, by focusing on the purpose and belief behind it, engaging customers and team members, and making sure that the product aligns with the company’s values and mission.

The Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is a concept developed by Simon Sinek in his book “Start With Why.” It is a framework for understanding how organizations can inspire others by communicating the purpose, cause or belief that drives them. The Golden Circle is made up of three parts: Why, How, and What.

1. Why: The “Why” represents the purpose, cause or belief that an organization exists. It’s the reason why an organization does what it does.
2. How: The “How” represents the unique approach or strategy that an organization uses to achieve its “Why.”
3. What: The “What” represents the products or services that an organization offers.

According to Sinek, the most successful organizations, leaders and movements communicate from the inside out, starting with their “Why” and then moving to “How” and “What.” This approach helps to inspire others by communicating the purpose and belief that drives the organization and aligns people to work together towards a common goal.

Here is an example for each of the three points of the Golden Circle:

1. Why: For example, the “Why” for a company like Patagonia could be to “use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”
2. How: Patagonia’s “How” could be that they produce outdoor clothing and gear made from sustainable materials, and they also invest in environmental causes and activism to help preserve the planet for future generations.
3. What: The “What” for Patagonia would be the outdoor clothing and gear products they sell such as jackets, backpacks, and pants.

Another example:

1. Why: For example, the “Why” for a non-profit organization like “Doctors without Borders” could be “to provide medical aid where it is needed most”.
2. How: “Doctors without Borders” “How” could be that they dispatch medical teams to crisis zones and provide medical care to those in need, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.
3. What: The “What” for “Doctors without Borders” would be the medical aid that they provide such as emergency surgeries, vaccinations, and disease treatment.

The Golden Circle can help organizations to communicate their message in a way that resonates with others, by showing them not just what they do, but why they do it.

Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek is a British-American author, motivational speaker, and organizational consultant. He is best known for his TED talk on “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” which has been viewed over 50 million times, and for his book “Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action”. He is a popular speaker on the topics of leadership, management, and organizational culture, and has worked with organizations of all sizes including, Microsoft, NASA, and the United States Army. He is also the founder of the “Start With Why” movement, which encourages individuals and organizations to focus on their purpose and values in order to inspire others and drive change.