What's Your Why?

This isn't a book review or a paid post; this is simply something I wanted to share which may help you as well. I do quite a bit of reading and I usually gravitate to books that end up being more like life manuals. 

For that reason, I often read them more than once and get the audiobook for the car. I've read the book twice and I'm now on my second round with the audiobook of Find Your Why by Simon Sinek. Earlier this year, I listened to one of his previous works; Start With Why for the third time.

Clearly Stated

I was in a client meeting last week and we discussed this phenomena. This is a team who clearly knows why their company exists and why they chose to work there which was refreshing. In my experience, leaders can often clearly articulate what their company does, makes, or provides, but struggle with the deeper meaning behind it all.  

We don't need to give any credence to those barking online how their opinions are all-knowing and anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong. I want to know why I do, act, and think certain ways. I want to gain more insight into why I may make decisions that don't serve me. You might feel the same way.  

Discovering Why

Find Your Why is an excellent companion to the earlier work because it dives into our true purpose and what ignites our passion. It's a thought-provoking book that takes you on a journey of self-discovery. Sinek presents insights and advice that can help all of us uncover our personal and professional why. 

One of the highlights for me is when he discusses the power of purpose-driven living. This is when we are able to align our actions with our core values and beliefs.

Emotional Roadmap

If we can understand our why, we can get closer to what will bring us fulfillment and make a meaningful impact in our personal and professional life. I review this book often to keep myself focused but it also helps you help others find their why. 

The benefit of that is in professional and personal relationships. How better will the relationship with your partner be if you can gain more understanding of why they like certain things, gravitate to certain activities, and choose particular career paths? How valuable will it be for you to be able share yours with them?

It might be worth consideration.

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Youer than You

Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel was a clever yet shy raconteur who created timeless work. For example; "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

It's one of my all-time favorite sayings and it's brilliant. It's not suggesting we disrespect those around us and for us to become unbearably arrogant. It points to the simple genius that says we need not worry so much about what others think about us. There will always be naysayers and complainers. You rarely need travel far to find someone with an opinion or criticism.

Don't Matter. Don't Mind.

Simon Sinek says leaders find others who believe in what they believe. Tom Peters says leadership is not about creating followers, it's about creating more leaders.

Seldom does someone who fails to stand for something, find others who are interested in what they have to say or offer. So be bold, be yourself and take charge. Respect those around you - especially yourself.

Be who you are, and say what you mean, or someone may be happy to do it for you.
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Who Are You?

Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel was a clever yet shy raconteur who created timeless work. One of my all-time favorite sayings of his was; "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

It's not suggesting we disrespect those around us and for us to become unbearably arrogant. It points to the simple genius that says we need not worry so much about what others think about us. There will always be naysayers and complainers. You rarely need travel far to find someone with an opinion or criticism.

Don't Matter. Don't Mind.

Simon Sinek says leaders find others who believe in what they believe. Tom Peters says leadership is not about creating followers, it's about creating more leaders.

Seldom does someone who fails to stand for something, find others who are interested in what they have to say or offer. I'll skip the temptation to comment about the US election. So be bold, be yourself, and take charge. Respect those around you - especially yourself.

Be who you are and say what you mean, or someone else may be quite happy to make that decision for you.
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Who Are You?

As we hit the halfway point of 2013, I thought I'd have a quick look at something we posted back on New Year's Day. Perhaps we're braver around year's end when lists and promises are everywhere. Here's the post for perspective.

Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel was a clever yet shy raconteur who created timeless work. For example; "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

It's one of my all-time favorite sayings and it's brilliant. It's not suggesting we disrespect those around us and for us to become unbearably arrogant. It points to the simple genius that says we need not worry so much about what others think about us. There will always be naysayers and complainers. You rarely need travel far to find someone with an opinion or criticism.

Don't Matter. Don't Mind.

Simon Sinek says leaders find others who believe in what they believe. Tom Peters says leadership is not about creating followers, it's about creating more leaders.

Seldom does someone who fails to stand for something, find others who are interested in what they have to say or offer. So be bold, be yourself and take charge. Respect those around you - most importantly yourself.

Be who you are, and say what you mean, or someone else may try and make that decision for you.
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Kneale Mann | Leadership and Culture strategist, writer, speaker, executive coach engaging leaders, collaborative teams, and strong business results.

ddtopyaps

This Year: Be Who You Are

Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel was a clever yet shy raconteur who created timeless work. For example; "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

It's one of my all-time favorite sayings and it's brilliant. It's not suggesting we disrespect those around us and for us to become unbearably arrogant. It points to the simple genius that says we need not worry so much about what others think about us. There will always be naysayers and complainers. You rarely need travel far to find someone with an opinion or criticism.

Don't Matter. Don't Mind.

Simon Sinek says leaders find others who believe in what they believe. Tom Peters says leadership is not about creating followers, it's about creating more leaders.

Seldom does someone who fails to stand for something, find others who are interested in what they have to say or offer. So be bold, be yourself and take charge. Respect those around you - most importantly yourself.

Be who you are, and say what you mean, or someone else may try and make that decision for you.

Kneale Mann

2012 Top 10 - March 2012 | wordle

Inspirational People | Simon Sinek

We recently started a feature on this site. It began with the desire to find out who inspires readers, friends, and colleagues. If someone comes to mind, send me an email

The Three Rules: Is the information valuable to my work or life? Is the author doing actual work to back it up? Do they challenge me, make me think, and/or make me move to do something?

Simon Sinek | Re:Focus

For my entire career, I subscribed to a business mantra I thought was bolted to concrete. You devise the strategy then add tactics to accomplish your ideas. Build the plan then execute what you need to do to get it done. But Simon Sinek changed it with a box of markers and an easel.

Without knowing why we do something, all the strategy in the world won't help us. Simon also challenges the concept of leadership and reminds us in order to be a leader we need to find those who believe what we believe.

Laptop Begone

While many of us pour over PowerPoint slide decks for speaking engagements, Sinek utilizes simple tools to get us to think clearer and make things better. One man, one hour, one easel, three markers, and one captivated audience.

Simon Sinek uses clear thoughts on his site, with clients, and on stage to simplify concepts which may appear complex. And he will definitely create a reaction.

What matters most is what we do about it.

Kneale Mann

Simon Sinek

Who Will You Be?

Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel was a clever yet shy raconteur who created timeless work. For example; "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

It's one of my all-time favorite sayings and it's brilliant. It's not suggesting we disrespect those around us and for us to become unbearably arrogant. It points to the simple genius that says we need not worry so much about what others think about us. There will always be naysayers and complainers. You rarely need travel far to find someone with an opinion or criticism.

Don't Matter. Don't Mind.

Simon Sinek says leaders find others who believe in what they believe. Tom Peters says leadership is not about creating followers, it's about creating more leaders.

Seldom does someone who fails to stand for something, find others who are interested in what they have to say or offer. So be bold, be yourself and take charge. Respect those around you - especially yourself.

Be who you are, and say what you mean, or someone else may try and make that decision for you.

Kneale Mann

image: dr. seuss

Leadership and Inspiration

After more than twenty-five years in the workforce, I remain absolutely fascinated by the reasons why two seemingly similar companies can travel very different journeys. One could thrive and grow and expand while the other struggles. Could it be the products each offer? Perhaps. Is it the price? Maybe. But it’s something much deeper.

Leadership is not a job title but a mind space, an attitude, that ‘thing’ we can often not quite put our finger on. And great leaders not only inspire a company, they can inspire a generation. But let’s back up for a moment. You work hard and want to be a part of a sound company and do purposeful work.

Simon Sinek has written a book on it and in his TEDTalk outlines what sets apart those leaders who inspire and make profound differences in their work and the people around them.

It begins with one simple question


Kneale Mann

visual credit: TED

Best Laid Business Plans

You Need a Plan

With few exceptions, no one ever becomes wildly successful without some sort of - albeit flexible - business plan. You need to set realistic actionable objectives or you will get lost in tactics. Crashing and burning are often the next step waiting for you.

I've always prescribed to the "strategy before tactics" mantra. You need to set 2-3 objectives for the next year and then build out necessary activities to ensure they are accomplished. Simon Sinek changed that when he reminds us that we need to know why we're doing any of it in the first place.

A Plan is Not Enough

Business plans don't have to be verbose literary masterpieces which no one will read, never mind execute. They should be clear and the content should point to what the company actually wants to carry out. But like mission statements, they are often created with the best of intentions in a controlled environment known as a boardroom.

Business objectives should include realistic market perspective, company financial realities and unbiased summation of stakeholder talent. Anyone can say "make more money this year" but can you really pull it off when you take into consideration your products or services, competitive situations and appropriate cash flow.

How can you ensure your business plan doesn't go sideways as soon as the reality of life hits it in the face?

Kneale Mann

image credit: youintegrate

Do You Know Why?

How and What Come Next.

On any given day, like you, my mind is filled with ideas. Each is fighting for prominence in my consciousness. Sound familiar? But after attending The Art of Management this week, those ideas seem a bit more organized.

Malcolm Gladwell, Simon Sinek, Mitch Joel, Nilofer Merchant and Michael Eisner all presented brilliantly. Unfortunately I had to leave before Mr. Gladwell but I have seen him speak and present before and do so
if you ever get the chance.

And I can't forget the entertaining host Ron Tite who kept it all together and shared several excellent presenations throughout the day.

You can read the Twitter stream here - #TAOM

Michael told engaging stories about his years at Paramount and Disney and dovetailed them into all the projects he’s working on now. As always, Mitch shared many examples of how the adoption of digital and social media continue to enhance our experience, our commerce and our lives. He also shared a shaving trick, ask him about it if you get the chance. Nilofer discussed that the future will not be created, it will be co-created with true collaboration.

The presenter I knew the least about before the event was Simon Sinek.

They tell us that we need to do better PowerPoint presentations. Don’t put a lot of words on the screen, don’t bore people with charts and graphs and tell stories. Agreed! Well, Simon did an hour with three markers and an easel. Try that at your next meeting.

Sinek's message is clear – find the why and you will change your focus, your business and your life.

We aren't too bad at finding the how (objective or strategy). We are even better at finding the what (tactics and execution). We prefer to make stuff over planning how to make stuff. But few of us can aptly articulate the why which is our purpose.

If we can find why we are doing it, what and how become much clearer.

Simon talked about leadership in a simple yet powerful way.

There are only two ways to lead – by force or by inspiration. Strong leaders know why they do what they do and inspire people who believe what they believe.

Do you know your why?

knealemann | email



Join me for Movember.
image credit: simon sinek - the golden circle

Management is an Art

Libraries, stores and hard drives have been filled with books and videos and instructional lessons on business management.
.

This is a science that is almost as impossible to master as parenting.

I have had some fabulous mentors in my career who taught me the essence of management from a technical and strategic standpoint as well as the people perspective.

It is not enough to devise an over arching business plan, you need to cover each component in such a process. Those include an organizational map, financial preparation, marketing and media strategy and most importantly a people plan.

People study human resources for years and still don’t master it. Top sales people crash and burn as sales managers. And right brain thinkers shrivel up and rot under the crushing avalanche of meetings and protocol.

It helps to learn from others who have varied experience. That includes an event I have the pleasure of attending this coming Monday (November 15th) in Toronto entitled The Art of Management

It's black belt keynote presenters back to back to back during this one-day event. The impressive list of speakers is; Mitch Joel, Malcolm Gladwell, Michael Eisner, Nilofer Merchant and Simon Sinek.

You can get more details on the official site - The Art of Management.

knealemann | email

Join me for Movember.

image credit: valerieherskowitz