Understanding this concept will bring growth to your business and life
Can the Golden Circle make a difference in your business and life?
There are mind-blowing reasons to improve where you fit into the golden circle. Because it is the way God created us.
I was introduced to this concept recently through a TED Talk by Simon Sinek, given in 2009.
How Great Leaders Inspire Action
Sinek went on to write a book, “Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action.” The book expanded on the Golden Circle concept.
Here is a short version of this concept:
- What: These are the products or services an organization offers. Employees and customers are aware of these.
- How: Some within the organization know how they produce their products or services. But only some know the process.
- Why: This is the core purpose of the organization. Why was the organization created? It was formed around a cause or belief, and it’s more important than money. However, employees and customers are not often aware of the why.
I believe most creators start with the why
But the why gets lost as they assemble a team to bring the product or service to market. In marketing, the what (product) usually becomes more important than the why.
Sinek says that most organizations work from the outside in. They start with what they do and move on to figure out how, and then finally, figure out why they do it.
However, genuinely inspirational leaders and organizations work from the inside out
Starting with the why, then moving to the how, and finally, to the what.
This concept is based on biology
A cross-section of the human brain is broken into three major components from the top down. These sections correlate perfectly with the golden circle.
The Limbic System
The middle two sections of the human brain make up our Limbic system. It is primarily responsible for processing emotions or feelings, like trust and loyalty. These sections are responsible for all human behavior. That includes all decision-making, and critical reasoning skills, but it has no understanding of language.
Our Why
So, the limbic section is at the heart of our why as we process our reasons for doing what we do.
Our How
It is also how we envision and create products or services to solve problems for others or provide a service.
Having no capacity for language. It makes our gut decisions and feelings hard to communicate.
However, Inspired leaders and inspired organizations communicate from the inside out. They focus on going deep on their why. Could focusing on our why help us improve our lives and businesses? I’ve heard it said: go seven layers deep to find your niche and your why. Don’t we owe it to those God has called us to serve to do so? I believe it is one of the reasons to improve how we work and live by improving where we are in the golden circle.
The Neocortex
The outer part of the human brain is responsible for rational and analytical thought. Also, it is responsible for language. It lines up with the, What, of the golden circle. From this part of your brain, your product or service takes shape.
Here is why I believe God created us to be great leaders who inspire others to act
- God created our brains.
- He gave us all a purpose- a why.
So, I’m asking you to think deeply and pray about your purpose and why you are doing what you are doing. Take this as an opportunity to Focus on your why, and things will fall into place.
Motivation
Don’t be motivated by money or to become famous, but by your why. I am always looking for reasons to improve my skills so that I can help or serve others.
When I explored my why, I found that I wanted to give hope to those who are survivors of abuse. Because I do not want another child to be hurt and have the feelings I did growing up. The anger, hate, and bitterness that caused my depression don’t belong in a child’s heart. Nor do I want another abused child to grow up to become an abuser as I did. I hurt my son physically but more emotionally. Healing is available, along with peace and joy.
God wants us to enjoy our lives
By focusing on our why, we can become more inspired. Write your mission statement from this why. You’ll be glad you worked from the inside out. Let us see what we can create and what problems we can solve.
