I love reading books that challenge me. However, there are few books that completely change the way I do things in life, love and leadership. This book changed me in all of the above.

I was originally aquainted with Simon Sinek while watching his presentation at the TED Talks. I was fascinated by his Golden Circle Theory and the implications of it. So, I bought the book. After the book, I subscribed to his blog. I don’t know where it’ll stop!

Start with Why begins by giving a snapshot of the present world we live in. Everyone is trying to get everyone else to buy their products and services. The way they do this is to offer incentives like lower prices, rebates, perks or gimmicks. He then showcases several organizations who have higher prices, no rebates, perks or gimmicks, yet do exceptionally better than their competition. Not only is their bottom line bigger than their competition, so is their impact on culture and society. His reason for this is that successful leaders and companies always begin their communication with why they do what they do.

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

Giving examples of such companies such as Apple and Harley Davidson, Sinek outlines how these companies operate through what Simon calls the Golden Circle. They always start with WHY they do what they do, then they work out HOW they do what they do and lastly they do WHAT they do.

Throughout the rest of the book, Sinek teaches how a leader can discover his or her WHY and then use it to engender trust in their employees and customers. I found this part very helpful.

Through reading this book, I have become convinced that knowing why I do something is just as applicable to my calling as a pastor and my role as a husband and father. My church must know why the church does what it does. My family needs to know why we do what we do.

I strongly recommend this book to everyone! No matter your stage or place in life, knowing why you do what you do will take you further.