This month, in The Platform Builders Mastermind group, we are working our way through Simon Sinek’s recently released “Leaders Eat Last – Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t.”
Sinek, the author of Start With Why, provides a deep look into what creates the most effective teams and more importantly, what keeps them working together, even during the most difficult of times.
This is one of those books that will take you a little bit longer to read because so many thoughts require you to take another look, just to make sure you understood the power behind them. A phenomenal effort by Sinek, Leaders Eat Last not only looks at the dynamic of the team but of the individuals that make up that team.
What really sets this book apart is Sinek’s unique look at why some people make good leaders and others don’t and the “why” behind the results they get. In this post, the final of four, I will attempt to capture the basic thoughts of the eight parts of the book.
PART 7: A SOCIETY OF ADDICTS
AT THE CENTER OF ALL OUR PROBLEMS IS US – A very enlightening chapter that explains a lot about some of the cultural problems we are facing and how they translate into the way we lead. Our desire for immediate gratification has taken many of us off our A-game.
Sinek makes a great observation when he says, “Leadership is about taking responsibility for lives and not numbers. Managers look after our numbers and our results and leaders look after us.” Seems like we currently have a shortage of leaders.
AT ANY EXPENSE – The demand for results, and achieving them now, has thrown us completely out of balance. Dopamine is a good thing when taken in moderation. Unfortunately, the recognition for achievement had created an addiction that is as contagious as the plague.
I have to go back to one of the statements I made in an earlier post. We have moved from a collaborative to a competitive culture and the desire, and demand, to keep up with the Jones’ has resulted in a somewhat overlooked epidemic of dopamine addiction.
THE ABSTRACT GENERATION – This chapter really hit home for me. I have often described Generation Y as the entitlement generation. I don’t know that I would go back on that statement entirely, but I do have a very different perspective after listening to what “Simon says.”
Our culture of immediate gratification has created a generation that expects things to happen now – so why wouldn’t they expect that? The difference is that I understand more of the why behind their actions and attitude and realize that success will not come from changing them, but from embracing them and using the strengths they do bring to the table.
PART 8: BECOMING A LEADER
STEP 12 – An interesting comparison the the alcoholics anonymous 12 step approach to recovery. The great point made by Sinek here is that service is the key to breaking the dopamine addictions in our organizations. Serving puts the real focus back on the people and not on the numbers and the interesting thing is that focusing on the people has actually shown to produce the numbers.
SHARED STRUGGLE – This was a great chapter! The idea is that we ultimately perform our best when we are backed into a corner and have no other choice than to depend on those around us to get through the current challenge. The power of working collectively as a team, sharing in the struggle, has a special way of bringing out the best in us. Oxytocin anyone?
WE NEED MORE LEADERS – How about this gem from Sinek: “Leadership is not a license to do less; it is a responsibility to do more.” We have lots of “leaders” in our lives, unfortunately not all of them are leading.
Sinek continues to finish strong, suggesting that leadership is about “committing to the well-being of those in our care and having the willingness to make sacrifices to see their interests advanced so that they may carry our banner long after we are gone.” And then closes the book with what I consider a very powerful “call to action” for all of us …
LET US ALL BE THE LEADERS WE WISH WE HAD
– Simon Sinek (TWEET THIS)
We were honored to have Simon join The Platform Builders on a call this week as we wrapped up our mastermind study on the book. All I can say is WOW! He added so much value to our tribe in just a short while. One golden pearl of wisdom and inspiration after another. There will several takeaways but I will leave you today with this one, “True fulfillment comes from serving those that serve others.” (Tweet This)
That statement came along with the story of his trip home from Afghanistan on a Military flight in which he shared the back end of the plane for nine hours accompanied by only the flag draped casket of a fallen soldier. His reflection … “You want to talk about a life impacting experience that puts things in perspective!” We still have much to hear from Mr. Sinek and I for one, can’t wait!
***********************************************************************
===> JOIN THE “LEADERSHIP BY INVITATION” LAUNCH TEAM <===
Click here to get a copy of my Kindle Book “The Manifesto Of An Influential Leader”
Don’t miss a single post from Building What Matters by subscribing at the top left of this page.
Help support us by clicking here and Liking our facebook page
Barry Smith 3/28/14 photo courtesy of amazon © Building What Matters 2014
