Start With Your Why

“People don’t buy what you do or how you do it, they buy why you do it.” Simon Sinek, motivational speaker and author of the book Start With Why makes this simple and powerful point in his inspiring TEDx talk. He calls this concept “The Golden Circle,” a series of three concentric circles that represent the different ways we think about a product or organization.

Far too often, companies communicate their business purpose to their customers and employees from the outside in: first talking about their what, touching on their how, and sometimes ignoring their why. This can leave people feeling uninspired.

Instead, try flipping that around by thinking, acting, and communicating from the inside out. That’s when true magic happens.

Knowing your why is an important first step in distinguishing yourself from others, versus merely blending in.