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Introducing our latest Big Think Class.
The anthropological reason we have leaders with Simon Sinek
Leaders didn’t always wear suits, but they have always been important. In prehistoric times, the leader kept the tribe from brawling over dinner, and in return, they got first crack at the grub. In the millennia since, the dress code has changed, but the expectations have not. We’re willing to cede certain perks to leaders so long as they fulfill their end of the bargain: Step up when it matters and protect the group.
In this video lesson, leadership consultant Simon Sinek explores the evolution of organizational hierarchy and how we can use it to understand the role of leadership today.
Learning objectives:
Identify the fundamental responsibilities of leadership.
Articulate your organizational vision and how your operations align with it.
Articulate your personal vision and how your role aligns with it.
Enhance your team’s trust levels.
Identify promising new leaders.
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Lessons:
Lesson 1: Driving Your Organization with "Why"
Most people know what their organization does. Some people know how their organization does it. But precious few know why they’re doing it. And that last element is necessary. Without a clear goal, it’s easy to stray from the critical path. In this video lesson, leadership consultant Simon Sinek teaches us not only how to discover and articulate our organization’s “why,” but how to apply it, too.
Lesson 2: Driving Your Personal Success with "Why"
People define personal success differently. For some, it’s the age-old trinity of money, fame, and power. For others, it will be a quiet life of creativity and reflection. Still for others, the critical component is dedication to a cause or community. But while people desire some form of success, they may not know why they are driven toward it. That can be dangerous, according to leadership consultant Simon Sinek. Without their "why" pointing the way, a professional risks becoming lost in their search for happiness and professional contentment.
Lesson 3: Helping Teams Thrive Within a Circle of Safety
As leaders, we should want our people to self-actualize, to reach a state in which they can achieve their full potential at work and in life. To reach that state, however, people need to feel safe. They need to be protected from internal dangers, such as politics and toxicity, so they can focus on their jobs. In this video lesson, leadership consultant Simon Sinek shows leaders how to create a “circle of safety” where trust and cooperation can thrive. And once in that circle, people can do what they do best.
Lesson 4: Four Laws for Creating Magic Inside Your Organization
Certain companies feel magical, but their allure is more than marketing sleight of hand. That magic originates within these organizations, flowing from leaders who have an unshakable devotion to their “why” as well as the ability to bring it to life for their people. Truth is, any leader can cast that spell. It doesn’t even require an incantation. In this video lesson, leadership consultant Simon Sinek shares four laws for creating this type of magic inside your organization.
