by Simon Sinek

Introduction

Section 1:

Samuel Pierpoint Langley was more educated, had more money, and was better connected than the Wright brothers, but he fell short in his pursuit of building the first aircraft

Section 2:

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were not the only individuals building computers, nor was their product the best, but they led with why

Section 3:

Martin Luther King was able to inspire one of the largest movements in the history of America because he started with why. He had a dream, not a plan

There are leaders and there are those who lead

Leaders who start with why build companies that amass followings among their customers and their employees

Part I: a world that doesn’t start with why

Chapter 1: assume you know

We make decisions based on our perceptions of the world which often involves false assumptions

Life is a dance between gut feeling and “retinal” decision making

Car companies and America make doors that almost fit then hammer them in with a rubber mallet. Car companies in Japan make doors that fit in the first place. Many companies operate according to the American model with short term fixes that yield similar results but are not as durable .

Chapter 2: carrots and sticks

There are two ways to get people to act — manipulate or inspire them

Low price always costs something — how much are you willing to pay from the money you make

Walmart’s scandals all stemmed from them trying to keep prices down