About the Book

The inspiring, life-changing bestseller by the author of LEADERS EAT LAST and TOGETHER IS BETTER.

In 2009, Simon Sinek started a movement to help people become more inspired at work, and in turn inspire their colleagues and customers. Since then, millions have been touched by the power of his ideas, including more than 28 million who’ve watched his TED Talk based on START WITH WHY -- the third most popular TED video of all time.

Sinek starts with a fundamental question: Why are some people and organizations more innovative, more influential, and more profitable than others? Why do some command greater loyalty from customers and employees alike? Even among the successful, why are so few able to repeat their success over and over?

People like Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Jobs, and the Wright Brothers had little in common, but they all started with WHY. They realized that people won't truly buy into a product, service, movement, or idea until they understand the WHY behind it.

START WITH WHY shows that the leaders who've had the greatest influence in the world all think, act, and communicate the same way -- and it's the opposite of what everyone else does. Sinek calls this powerful idea The Golden Circle, and it provides a framework upon which organizations can be built, movements can be led, and people can be inspired. And it all starts with WHY.

About the Author

SIMON SINEK, the bestselling author of LEADERS EAT LAST and TOGETHER IS BETTER, is an optimist who believes in a brighter future for humanity. He teaches leaders and organizations how to inspire people and has presented his ideas around the world, from small startups to Fortune 50 corporations, from Hollywood to Congress to the Pentagon. His TED Talk based on START WITH WHY is the third most popular TED video of all time. Learn more about his work and how you can inspire those around you at StartWithWhy.com.

About the Reviews

I've read and studied a lot of material over the last 2 years looking for answers to my life and business. What I didn't realize, is that I was looking for this book. While no book stands alone, this book puts the big picture together for me. Without a why I can find myself drifting from one opportunity to the next, with nothing more than fleeting excitement for a new idea. This book has inspired many thoughts as I read it, but it has helped me to truly put into perspective the age-old advice to follow your passion. It's not enough to follow your passion, you got to know why you're passionate for it. I highly recommend this book to anyone struggling to figure out what they want to do when they grow up. I'm off to read his follow-up book, Find Your Why.

*********************************

While the majority of this book is about companies and the people who lead them, it is completely relatable to your personal life outside of work. Years ago, I worked for a company led by a man who clearly started with WHY. The company was bought out quite a few years ago, but my former colleagues and I still talk about the founder and the company with love and devotion. We describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that those who never experienced it couldn't possibly understand. My current company, which bought that former company, is much bigger so it's tough to compare, but I definitely believe that the leadership understands WHY as well.

I think everyone should read this book. Understand your company's WHY, your spouse's WHY, your children's WHY...and don't forget your own WHY.

*********************************

“People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”

Every once in a while I will pick up a book, look at the title, and know everything I need from the front cover. When I picked up Start With Why by Simon Sinek, I was certain I figured out the entire book: knowing why you do something is the most important thing. Was I wrong? Not really, but surprisingly I could not put the book down.

Success in the business world is nearly magic. You can gobs of money and loads of talent and still be bankrupt in a year. History is riddled with huge companies failing while small startups become huge successes.

Through his book, Sinek shows us success: Apple, Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Wal-mart and others. He explains that these successes were built around great people who inspired others: Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Herb Kelleher, Sam Walton, etc. These people may not have been great at business, in fact some did not know how to put together a business plan, but they understood what was most important to them. Once some of these men left their position, their business immediately began to flounder, mostly cause the company and its leader forgot their central purpose.

For a simple concept book, Start With Why was rather fascinating. It prompted me to look at my own work again; to remember why my career and how things will be better if I remember the “why.”

I think this book is a great book for any one in or seeking a leadership role.

“Leadership requires two things: a vision of the world that does not yet exist and the ability to communicate it.”

Product Info

Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Portfolio; Reprint edition (December 27, 2011)
Language: English
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,282 customer reviews

Check out this Book