Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action

Name: Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
Rating: 4.446666717529297 (300 reviews)

Simon Sinek

Oct 2011 · Penguin UK

300 reviews

Ebook

256

Pages

Eligible

Switch to the audiobook

About this ebook

15TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION - WITH ADDED MATERIAL

'One of the most incredible thinkers of our time,' Steven Bartlett, podcaster and author of Diary of a CEO

***

Simon Sinek's iconic global bestseller has sold more than three million copies by asking a simple fundamental question:

Why are some people and organisations more innovative, more influential, and more profitable than others?

The answer to why is another why. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Jobs, and the Wright Brothers had little in common, but they all started with a WHY. They realised that people won't truly buy into an idea, a movement, a product or a service until they understand the WHY behind it.

With a new foreword, and updates throughout – like the importance of holding onto our WHY in a social media obsessed world - this 15th anniversary edition celebrates the simple but transformative idea that leads people to inspire greatness.

***

‘A deep, abiding understanding of what you want to inspire, and how you want to lead is the basis of this inspirational book’ Forbes

15TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION - WITH ADDED MATERIAL 'One of the most incredible thinkers of our time,' Steven Bartlett, podcaster and author of Diary of a CEO *** Simon Sinek's iconic global bestseller has sold more than three million copies by asking a simple fundamental question: Why are some peopl...

Discover more

Ratings and reviews

300 reviews

A Google user

August 14, 2018

"Why" is little more than snake oil without the bottle. This is not something new and inspirational. Nothing like it. Replace "why" with "product X" with all its wonderous properties and you have the essence of this book. Anecdotal but not evidence based. How would he know know that the Wright Bros had Product X over Langley. Can we see the transcripts of the interviews? Apple are successful because they used product X. Find someone or something successful and then work it backwards so Product X is the reason for the success. Oldest trick in the book

54 people found this review helpful

ANKITA DEY

November 25, 2025

Start With Why is a very powerful idea I've ever read about clarity. Before this book, I used to focus on 'what' I was doing or 'how' I was going to do it. Now, every single decision (professional/personal)—from 'which project to take on at work' to 'where to spend my free time' —starts with the same question: "Why?" It’s a logical, basic concept, but using that "Why" as the starting point and the filter for everything else instantly cuts through the noise and saves so much of time and effort. By adopting this inside-out thinking, I feel aligned, not just professionally, but personally. If the action doesn't serve my core purpose, I know it’s a distraction and there are good chances I will lose interest after a while, and that kind of clarity is so much needed.

Richard King

April 22, 2017

For a book about "starting" it dwelt a lot on the whole process. For a very small businesses or sole trader, it has useful but limited insight. I also feel that the Golden circle is possibly missing a WHO. I may be unfair, as one could say that Who is defined by Why or What I think this book is a must read for any leader (or aspiring leader)

35 people found this review helpful

About the author

SIMON SINEK, the bestselling author of Leaders Eat Last and Together is Better, is an optimist who believes in a brighter future for humanity. He teaches leaders and organisations how to inspire people and has presented his ideas around the world, from small startups to Fortune 50 corporations, from Hollywood to Congress to the Pentagon. His TED Talk based on Start With Why is the fifth most popular TED video of all time. Learn more about his work and how you can inspire those around you at StartWithWhy.com.

SIMON SINEK, the bestselling author of Leaders Eat Last and Together is Better, is an optimist who believes in a brighter future for humanity. He teaches leaders and organisations how to inspire people and has presented his ideas around the world, from small startups to Fortune 50 corporations, f...

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets

Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.

Laptops and computers

You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.

eReaders and other devices

To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.

Flag as inappropriate