The Importance of WHY: It Trumps WHAT or HOW

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In this day and age, technology allows us to connect across the world in an unprecedented—and almost instantaneous—manner. At the touch of a fingertip, we have access to countless information, products, and businesses. The reality is people have more choice than ever before, so how do you distinguish yourself, your products, your opportunity from all the others out there?

In a phenomenal video (embedded below), Simon Sinek talks about what sets others apart and why people/businesses/ventures succeed over others who were perhaps better funded, had more resources, or even had a better product.

Those who succeed inspire others.

He then explains why some people are able to inspire and others aren’t—and it boils down to one word:

 WHY

You could also substitute the word VISION.

In his talk, Sinek clarifies that most businesses and/or businesspeople know their WHAT—what they do. (Syntek Global sells a fuel treatment system that increases fuel economy, prolongs engine life and reduces engine wear, improves vehicle performance and horsepower, and reduces harmful emissions and pollutants.)

Some know their HOW—how they do what they do. (We use a network marketing model through an organization of distributors.)

But very few know their WHY—why do they do what they do? Your WHY isn’t to make money. That’s a result. What is your purpose, your cause, your belief—your vision? That is your WHY. (We know our corporate vision, but this post isn’t about that. It’s about your vision.) 

Those businesses and leaders who inspire others, garner a loyal following, and as a result succeed, are those who communicate their WHY, rather than their HOW or WHAT.

“People don’t buy WHAT you do. They buy WHY you do it.”

Now go watch this video. It is 18 minutes long and worth every minute.

This week, we challenge you to really take the time to articulate your WHY. Why are you doing this business? What is it that drives you, motivates you? And don’t say, “To make money.” The actual paper bills and coins don’t, it’s what you can do with the money. Is it financial freedom? The ability to help others?

Think about it. Write it down. Even if you have written it before, write it again. The act of putting pen to paper makes you take something nebulous and fuzzy and articulate it into something clear. Not only will you be able to more easily share that with others, but it will solidify in your own mind and make your own drive that much stronger.

“You cannot inspire unless you’re inspired yourself.” – Suze Orman, Financial Guru

Syntek Global is going to spend this week talking about VISION, because it is so important to future success. Last month distributors shared their WHYs in our newsletter, and we will revisit some of those. This week, some of our top leaders will share their WHY on the blog and Facebook. On Twitter we will post links to resources, quotes, and articles to go along with our Vision Week.

Share your WHY in the comments or let us know how you are doing in figuring it out!