Why Every Board of Directors Should Start with Why

Learn from Simon Sinek’s Game-Changing Book to Inspire Your Team and Achieve Long-Term Success!

Hey there, folks! Michael Barrick here, and today I am talking about how the board of directors can learn from Simon Sinek’s book, “Start with Why.” Let me tell you, this book is a game-changer when it comes to inspiring your team to take action and achieve greatness.

As a board of directors, your job is to lead your company to success. And to do that, you need to have a crystal-clear understanding of your company’s purpose and values. That’s where “Start with Why” comes in. It’s all about starting with the “why” behind your actions rather than just focusing on the “what” or “how.” Because let’s face it, people don’t just buy what you do; they buy why you do it.

So, how can you apply the principles of “Start with Why” to your work on the board of directors? Here are some key takeaways:

• Define your company’s purpose. What’s the big-picture vision for your company? What impact do you want to have on the world? By clarifying your purpose and communicating it to all stakeholders, you can inspire your employees to work towards a shared goal.
• Build a culture around your company’s values. Your values should be more than just words on a page. They should be embedded in your company’s culture so that employees are encouraged to behave in ways that align with those values. This creates a sense of belonging and shared identity among your team, leading to greater loyalty and retention.
• Communicate the “why” to everyone. Your purpose and values should be communicated to your employees and your customers, shareholders, and community. Doing so can build trust and authenticity, leading to greater customer loyalty and shareholder buy-in.
• Encourage innovation. You create an environment that encourages innovation by focusing on your company’s purpose and values. Employees who understand the “why” behind your actions are more likely to develop creative solutions that align with your purpose. So, reward and encourage such innovation!
• Evaluate decisions based on your purpose and values. When making decisions, ask yourself: does this align with our purpose and values? Doing so ensures you’re always working towards your shared goal rather than being swayed by short-term gains or external pressures.

A board portal like Board Director can leverage the concept of “Start with Why” in several ways to support board directors in achieving their objectives and driving success. Here are a few examples:

1. Mission and Vision Statements: Board Director can assist boards of directors in developing and communicating their mission and vision statements, which are critical components of the “why” behind their actions. Board Director’s collaborative platform can facilitate discussion and refinement of these statements, helping boards of directors to align on a shared purpose and motivate their team towards a common goal.
2. Culture and Values: Board Director can help boards of directors establish a culture based on their organization’s values, as outlined in “Start with Why.” By providing a platform for communication and reinforcement of these values, the Board Director can assist in embedding them in the company’s culture, resulting in greater employee loyalty and retention.
3. Decision Making: Directors make decisions based on their purpose and values, as suggested in “Start with Why.” Board Director’s collaboration features can ensure that decisions are made with the company’s long-term goals in mind rather than being influenced by short-term gains or external pressures.
4. Innovation: Board Director can help cultivate an innovative environment by encouraging the exploration of new ideas and solutions that align with the company’s purpose and values. Board Director’s collaborative platform can facilitate brainstorming and collaboration, enabling board directors to inspire their team to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Board Director can leverage the principles of “Start with Why” to help boards of directors establish a more engaged and committed team and achieve their long-term goals. Board Director’s collaborative features can help board members drive success and innovation while remaining true to their company’s purpose and values.

In conclusion, “Start with Why” is a must-read for any board of directors looking to inspire their team and achieve long-term success. You can create a more motivated, engaged, and innovative workforce by focusing on your purpose and values, building a culture around them, and communicating the “why” to everyone. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start leading with your “why”!