I recently heard Peter Docker speak at the ICF Global Leaders Forum in Atlanta. Peter works with Simon Sinek, Author of Start With Why. You can check out more at www.WhyNotUnlimited.com.
One quote during his talk which really resonated with me was:
“Leadership takes something complex and creates simplicity.”
What a powerful statement. He gave several iconic examples of leaders who have done just that. John F. Kennedy brought forth the idea of putting a man on the moon. He created the vision, declared it, and, as people aligned to the vision and overcame the challenges and complexity with a series of solutions, the U.S. was able to achieve the lunar success.
One of the principles these types of leaders utilize, according to Peter, is:
Start with the why: the compelling higher purpose that inspires us and acts as the source of all we do.
For JFK, his ‘why’ may have been to always inspire himself and others to dream big and accomplish more than they ever thought possible.
I took some time to reflect on my ‘why’. I started with a series of questions…..
- What inspired me when I was younger (high school and college)?
- Why was that important to me?
- What do I contribute to the world?
- Why is that important to me?
This is what I came up with:
I love partnering with people to see things they can’t see, to learn things they don’t know and already know, and flourish as a human being. I just happen to do that through coaching.
Do you have a similar personal story to share?