Find Your Why: A Practical Guide to Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team
Purpose fuels success, and when we discover and align with our purpose, we experience a profound sense of fulfillment. Simon Sinek, renowned for his bestseller Start with Why, teams up with David Mead and Peter Docker to create Find Your Why, a practical guide to help individuals, teams, and organizations uncover their true purpose. This book builds upon the foundational concepts of the Golden Circle and provides actionable steps to find and live your WHY.
Understanding the Golden Circle
Before diving into the steps to discover your WHY, it’s crucial to understand the framework that underpins the concept—The Golden Circle.
The Three Levels of the Golden Circle
Every person and organization operates on three levels:
- WHAT: The actions or products/services you deliver.
- HOW: The unique processes or approaches you take to achieve your goals.
- WHY: Your core purpose, cause, or belief—the reason you exist.
The Science Behind the Golden Circle
The Golden Circle is more than just a concept; it’s deeply rooted in human biology and aligns with how our brains are structured:
- Limbic System: The primal part of our brain responsible for feelings like trust and loyalty, corresponding with the WHY and HOW of the Golden Circle.
- Neocortex: The logical center of our brain that handles language, rational thinking, and analysis, corresponding with the WHAT of the Golden Circle.
To effectively communicate and inspire, it’s essential to appeal to both logic and emotions. Most people and organizations communicate from the outside-in (WHAT → HOW → WHY), but the most influential leaders and companies think, act, and communicate from the inside-out (WHY → HOW → WHAT).
Discovering Your WHY: A Step-by-Step Guide
Find Your Why is designed as a comprehensive guide to help you uncover your WHY. Whether you’re an individual or part of a team, the process involves three key steps:
1. Gather and Share Stories
To discover your WHY, you must delve into your past experiences. Your WHY isn’t an aspiration but a reflection of who you are at your best. Begin by gathering stories from your life that evoke strong emotional responses and have made a significant impact. These stories hold the clues to your core purpose.
2. Identify Themes
As you share your stories, common themes will start to emerge. These themes resonate deeply with you and form the foundation of your WHY Statement. Pay close attention to the patterns and recurring ideas that surface during this process.
3. Draft and Refine Your WHY Statement
Your WHY Statement should be clear, actionable, and impactful. The authors suggest using the structure: “To [contribution] so that [impact].” This concise statement encapsulates the driving force behind everything you do and should be applicable to both your personal and professional life. It’s unchanging over time and connects you to something bigger than yourself.
For example, Simon Sinek’s WHY is: “To inspire people to do the things that inspire them so that, together, we can change our world.”
Bringing Your WHY to Life
Once you’ve articulated your WHY, the next step is to live it. This involves understanding and expressing your HOWs—your strengths and the actions that bring your WHY to life.
Articulating Your HOWs
Your HOWs are the ingredients required for you to operate at your best. They are the principles and values that guide your actions. For instance, Peter Docker’s HOWs include making things simple, seeing the wider context, embracing new ideas, building relationships, and pushing boundaries.
Making a Stand and Keeping Your WHY Alive
To fully embrace your WHY, you must share it with others and integrate it into your daily life. For teams and organizations, this involves getting buy-in from all members and creating a culture that lives and breathes the WHY. Regularly revisiting and reinforcing your WHY ensures it remains a driving force behind your actions.
Practical Tips for Implementing Your WHY
Find Your Why is a hands-on guide with practical tips for every step of the process. The book includes detailed instructions, examples, and even room setup tips for workshops. Whether you’re an individual looking to uncover your personal purpose or a leader aiming to align your team with a shared WHY, this book provides a clear roadmap.
The Book In Just 20 Words
“Discover your purpose, align your actions, and inspire others—Find Your Why offers a powerful guide to lasting fulfillment.”
About the Authors of Find Your Why
- Simon Sinek: A visionary author, speaker, and consultant, Simon Sinek is known for his work on leadership and purpose. His ideas on “Start with Why” have inspired millions globally to rethink their approach to life and work.
- David Mead: A corporate trainer turned speaker and facilitator, David Mead has been part of the Start With Why team since 2009. He specializes in helping organizations uncover their purpose and align their teams around a common WHY.
- Peter Docker: A former senior Royal Air Force officer, Peter Docker joined the Start With Why team in 2011. He now works with organizations worldwide as a leadership consultant and executive coach, helping leaders inspire action and drive change.
Find your Why Quotes
- “Every one of us has a WHY, a deep-seated purpose, cause or belief that is the source of our passion and inspiration.”
- “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”
- “Before we can stand out, we must first get clear on what we stand for.”
- “The ability of a group of people to do remarkable things hinges on how well those people can pull together as a team.”
- “You’re unique, not in your WHY alone but in the combination of your WHY and your HOWs. This combination makes you one-of-a-kind.”
Conclusion
Find Your Why is more than just a book—it’s a practical guide to discovering the purpose that fuels your success. By understanding the Golden Circle and following the steps outlined in the book, you can uncover your WHY, articulate your HOWs, and inspire others to join you in making a lasting impact. Whether you’re an individual seeking personal fulfillment or a leader looking to align your team, this book provides the tools you need to unlock your true potential and thrive.