Reading homework help

  1. The title of the book is “Start With Why.” What does this mean to you?
  2. What is the “Golden Circle” that Simon Sinek discusses in his book?
  3. Do you agree with the author’s statement that “people don’t buy WHAT you do, they buy WHY you do it” (ch 3, p 41)? Can you think of a military example that supports your argument?
  4. How are the author’s ideas about starting with why related to identity?
  5. The author states for values or guiding principles to be truly effective, they have to be verbs. It’s not “integrity,” it’s “always do the right thing.”  Do you agree with the author’s statement?
  6. The author tells the story of two stonemasons (ch 6, p 94-95). The stonemasons do exactly the same work, but one considers it to be a job while the other sees it as a calling.  Why do the two stonemasons see their work differently?
  7. The author states “best practices are not always best” (ch 9, p 166). What does he mean by this?
  8. The author states “we trust those with whom we are able to perceive common values or beliefs” (ch 4, p 53). Do you agree with this statement?  If so, how is it related to the Army Profession?
  9. The author states “trust begins to emerge when we have a sense that another person or organization is driven by things other than their own self-gain” (ch 6, p 84). Do you agree with this statement?
  10. The author uses Apple as an example of a company that starts with why (ch 3, p 43). Do you agree with Sinek’s example?  How is this example related to trust?
  11. The author states “absent a WHY, a decision is harder to make” (ch 4, p 59). Do you agree?  Explain why or why not.
  12. What leadership attributes did Sinek discuss in his book?
  13. What leadership competencies did Sinek discuss in his book?
  14. The author discussed a special partnership between WHY and HOW for successful organizations. In this partnership, you often have one leader who provides vision while another has the talent to actually get it done.
  15. The author gives an example of Ben Comen, a runner with cerebral palsy, to make a point about competition (ch 14, p 224). Who should you be competing against?  Yourself or others?
  16. The author writes at some length about manipulation, motivation, and inspiration. Sometimes you see this referred to as a transactional versus transformational leadership.  Does the author believe one method is more effective for successful organizations?  Which one?
  17. Identify an inspirational leader. Conclude your paper with the name of a leader you have found to be inspirational.  Based on “The Golden Circle” discussed in Chapter 3, include a paragraph describing what you view to be his/her “WHY” or purpose.