Simon Sinek, an author of “Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, and The Infinite Game” imparted that crisis is a great revealer for companies and leaders.
In his book, Start With Why, he explained that great companies have established their ‘whys’. Thus, they were able to demonstrate ‘how’ to do it through their ‘what’. However, he stated that ‘it’s normal for crises to shake our confidence. A crisis can put us off course, but it does not mean that ‘why’ has changed. It means we stopped focusing on it”.
Respectively, the ongoing effects of COVID-19 have greatly affected business owners. Most businesses experience difficulty to pivot. With this situation, Simon Sinek highlighted that even if the current situation forces businesses to change their ‘what’, it is important not to forget why they are doing it.
Apart from keeping their purpose, Simon, as a business coach, counsels CEOs and managers to check on their people.
“What you do for your friend, do that for your people. Listen. Make sure they feel heard. Take time. You do not have to do it every day, but check in on people every now and again,” Sinek stated.
“Leadership is not about being in charge, it’s about taking care of those in our charge,” he added.
Interestingly, he emphasized that no matter what the situation, good leadership does not change because great leaders show up for their people. Plus, they listen to the needs of their people and encourage them despite being uncertain about what to do.
Despite that Sinek is an optimist, like many of us, he is uncertain about the future. He stated that the world will be different.
“I have some hopes, I have some fears. But it’s gonna be different,” he said.
