Start With Why (Book #1)
Write a book review, or so they say. This is my attempt in making this year a year where reading books seem like something I spend more time on (on the contrary) and a way to keep me accountable to push me further to read more, so I can come up with more of these. A book is a great way to peak into the author’s mind for a different perspective, and to add on to your own.
Start with why, a book written by Simon Sinek, a name which would only ring to people who are in tune with the industry. Written solely on his perspective and experience in dealing with people in the business, the aptly named book sets out to ingrain why we should start with why in everything we do, and that theme reverberates throughout the book.
A good read and an educational one, it keeps the focus on the “why”, before the “how” and the “what”. A simpler and quicker way to enjoy the book is to watch this video alongside it, a TED Talk by the author himself, which describes the main content of the book.
http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action
This video essentially breaks down the books into parts for much simpler understanding. The reading part of it brings a more comprehensive understanding with generous examples related to life experiences of the author.
With examples on household brand names such as how Apple (Steve Jobs) started with their why, with clear comparisons to company which didn’t and how the former and latter fared, I’d say it’s a pretty informative read. Be careful though,the book is not exactly a page turner, especially if you’re not particularly interested in the subject, some points are repeated throughout the book, for the sake of emphasis, I’d assume.
In relation to human psychology, the author attempts to explain on how focusing on the “why” we do things would relate to the deepest emotion and the reason to why we make decisions that we may not be able to explain, a ring to what we know as love. Other concepts are used and described as well, with many namely examples which come along.
A thing or two I find impactful in the book to me (quoted):
Value is a feeling, not a calculation. It is perception. One could argue that a product with bells and whistles that sells for less is the greater value. Others might consider an iPhone to be of greater value. But by whose standard?
