Remember when you were little and you always asked….but why mum? Things change as we grow up and we forget about asking ‘why’.
We should all know the how’s and what’s of what we do, but don’t necessarily know the whys. Traditional thinking seems to always start with ‘what’.
If you think back to the last bbq you went to….what’s the first question most people ask you…..so ‘what’ do you do? Sound familiar? Your response would normally tell the questioner what you do with a general description about ‘how’ you do it.
So what would a world look like that actually started with ‘why’ you do it rather than ‘what’ you do? Well a guy called Simon Sinek has developed a powerful idea (the Golden Circle) that those of us that start with asking why, or can describe our why will always develop better long lasting business relationships with our clients. He believes we should always start with our ‘why’ and not the ‘what’ or ‘how’. He also believes very few people can clearly articulate their why.
To develop your why you should ask yourself these questions:
- what is your purpose
- why does your company exist
- why do you get out of bed
- why should anyone care
The ‘why’ is considered extremely relevant to understanding why our clients are our clients and how to attract new clients.
Sinek believes that a world that doesn’t start with why either assumes or uses a carrot and stick approach. Neither of which help build long term relationships with clients.
Businesses with a clear sense of ‘why’ give people a way to tell the outside world who they are and what they believe. Sinek believes people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. If a company does not have a clear sense of why, then it is impossible for the outside world to perceive anything more than ‘what’ the company does.
So can you articulate your why?
Kim Jay CA – Director
