Start With Why

Sinek includes his own story in Start With Why, sharing what business setbacks he faced when he didn’t start with “why.” These failures underscore the significance of his message—that understanding and communicating one’s purpose is crucial for long-term success. Ultimately, Sinek’s candor about his own missteps makes his ideas more relatable and credible, as he demonstrates that he’s not just preaching a theory; he’s learned from practical experience.

Sinek highlights Dr. King (1929-1968) as an exemplary leader who started with “why” in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Dr. King’s unwavering commitment to the Civil Rights Movement and his clear vision for a better future inspired millions of people. He is thus a powerful example of how a compelling “why” can mobilize people for a cause. Sinek does not sanctify Dr. King, acknowledging that “he [Dr. King] was not perfect. He had his complexities” (5). Instead, Sinek focuses on Dr. King’s clear gift for inspiring others to join a movement in which the “why” itself transcended the symbolic leader of the cause.