What is the “Golden Circle”

What is the “Golden Circle”

 

I Power Seed:  Recently in a senior leadership meeting we were reminded of the concept of the “Golden Circle” by Simon Sinek and how powerful it is.  I can almost guarantee that once you watch the video (below), it will forever change your thinking.

 

Simon Sinek’s “Golden Circle” is a concept that helps explain why some leaders and organizations are more inspiring and successful than others. It focuses on three layers of communication and decision-making:

 

  1. Why (The Core): This is the purpose, cause, or belief behind an action. It’s the reason why an organization exists or why a leader does what they do. Most inspiring leaders and companies start by communicating their “Why.”

 

  1. How (The Process): These are the actions or values that make an organization or individual unique and bring the “Why” to life. It’s about the approach taken to achieve a goal.

 

  1. What (The Outcome): This is the product, service, or result of the “Why” and “How.” Most organizations focus on communicating this, but Sinek argues that inspiring leaders start with “Why.”

 

The Brain Connection:

  • The outer layer, or “What,” relates to the neocortex, which is responsible for rational thinking, language, and analysis.
  • The middle two layers, “How” and “Why,” connect with the limbic brain, which controls emotions, behavior, and decision-making, but it doesn’t have language. This is why leading with “Why” taps into emotions and inspires action at a deeper level.

I Power Seeds

Here are our takeaways and thoughts - pause and reflect, then nourish and grow!

In conclusion, the Golden Circle aligns with how the brain processes information, emphasizing that decisions are often driven by emotions (the limbic brain) before being rationalized by logic (the neocortex).

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