thread Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion in Square Readers Book Club

Start with Why: Opening Discussion

PessoAlumni — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 15:07:56 GMT

Hey Square Readers,

Who’s ready to talk books?

We’ve already announced that our April & May 2023 book is Start with Why by Simon Sinek. Check out that first thread and read more about what to expect.

We hope you picked up a copy and are excited to dive in!

Let’s start off here with some questions to keep in mind:
We'd love if you could jump into the comments to answer any or all of them as you go, and share your thoughts as you are reading the book.

What do you hope to learn from this book?
Why do you think the Why is so important in running a business?

We can’t wait to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

We may repost your comments into our summary post at the end of the month.

And check out my comment to see my thoughts!

Keep checking back in this group throughout the next two months for some key insights, discussion questions, articles, videos, and more ways for you to learn and share. I'll be adding another discussion thread in early May with more questions and thoughts.

See these threads for more discussions:

Happy reading,

Pesso

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

Sharine — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 12:45:56 GMT

Received my book on Saturday. WOW! Just finished chapter 2 last night and can't wait to get back to the book. How did I not know this stuff?

My why is my family, my friends, my community. Has always been. If I can learn to serve them better, there's no telling how far my business can go. Great book so far. Definitely planning on sharing.

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

DCdoc — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:12:02 GMT

I have repeatedly struggled with my mission statement over the years. It always sounds vague and phony, yet I am truly passionate about my practice and helping people. I hope to get to the core of my why, enabling me to express it simply, easily and clearly.

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

PessoAlumni — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:00:39 GMT

Thanks for reading and sharing, @Sharine ! So glad that you're getting so much out of it already.

What was it that you didn't know and learned so far?

I love that your why is serving the people you care about, that's huge! I can't wait to hear more about this as you read through!

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

PessoAlumni — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:02:29 GMT

Thanks for sharing, @DCdoc !

That passion for helping others is huge and an amazing foundation to build anything off of.

What has been your mission statement so far? I'd love to hear it, even if you think it sounds vague or not genuine -- and maybe someone here can help with it too!

Rooting for ya and extremely hopeful that the book can help you get to a place that you can express it in a way that better suits you.

Looking forward to following your journey and hearing more from you as you go!

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

Sharine — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 18:04:57 GMT

I should say what I didn't realize, not necessarily "not know". How easily we can manipulate and be manipulated without even thinking about it or realizing it.

I would rather inspire and that is going to be my goal.

Can't wait to discover more from this book.

Thanks

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

scastrotattoo — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 01:48:46 GMT

Family, friends and community are wonderful core values, however they don't exactly convey your why. These fuel your why, its figuring out how to articulate 'that why' in a sentence(or a few). I'm currently struggling on how to do so myself. But the realization is eye opening and inspiring. Enjoy the rest of the book!

p.s. i may have finished the book already, and went down a rabbit hole of research on examples and how to write a good "why statement" hehe

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

TerriK — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 01:56:16 GMT

To be honest, this was my 3rd choice from our selection. But I am engrossed in this book. The concept of building your business around your "why" should be taught first to every new business owner. I've completed chapter 3 and have begun formulating my "why" and how I can make this evident to my potential clients. We're told at the beginning this isn't a how-to book, but it does make you think how to make the change in your business.

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

CareyJo — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 13:09:08 GMT

I love it! I often find myself running down multiple rabbit holes!

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

Schoonerbum — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 02:39:38 GMT

Happy to help @DCdoc with mission and vision statements...

This is my second read of Start With Why; still finding lots of good insights.

Ted Sprague

Ted@JackTar.consulting

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

YBF — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 12:53:55 GMT

My slogan is, 'A flower shop where happiness blooms!" I think that's my why, to help share some joy in this crazy world. I want to learn how to articulate that as a reason my shop stands out.

My Google reviews all state how we go the extra mile but it doesn't feel like we do, it feels like we love what we do.

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

Pippin-and-Gile — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 08:53:37 GMT

I read this book a few years ago - I’m looking forward to picking up back up - then I formulated my why - empowering others to achieve things they didn’t think was possible by sharing knowledge and understanding. Creating a community that understands and cares for the world around us.
It wasn’t those words exactly as I haven’t reread my notes but that is what my why is. I need to get better at communicating it though.

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

Spicec1 — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 19:22:55 GMT

I'm listening to it on on Amazon Audio. It is a great thing to keep in mind when starting a business.

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

PessoAlumni — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 14:48:26 GMT

I can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts on the discussion questions and the book so far!

Here's mine:

I've heard a lot about this book with a lot of business owners recommending it to me over the last few years. I also watched his TED talk and was absolutely captivated by the examples he gave. The quote "People don't buy what you do, they buy Why you do it" has stuck with me for a long time. I try to look for the Why in everything I do, and when I'm helping others.

First, I'm hoping to learn more about not why the Why is so important and how customers and others are drawn to and connect to someone's Why. On top of that, I want to learn how to find, internalize, and be able to explain that Why easily. And finally, I want to learn how to express that why in actions, and not have to just explain it verbally -- to really be able to make other folks feel it and to connect with it.

I think a Why is important to a business because, especially as SMB (Small-Medium Business) Owners, we're driven by so much more than just making sales and profit. I'm pretty sure that most if not all of us are driven by a cause, a want to contribute and make or spread something to our communities. The Why is the reason for that and behind that, and being able to really focus in on the Why just spreads that message and makes that known, helping others find and connect with us. That's my big goal with my businesses, and being able to tap into that more easily would be huge.

On another note, I also loved how in the second chapter in setting up why the way is so important, Sinek dived into other marketing and promotion strategies like discounts, and potential pitfalls there. Gotta love some well rounded business strategy tips!

Can't wait to hear all of your thoughts!

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

LoriS2 — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 18:46:05 GMT

I hope to learn from this book how to keep my Why front and center on a daily basis. It's too easy for me to get bogged down in details and forget my Why. I think the Why is so important in running a business because it exudes passion and passion draws people like a magnet, whether it's customers, potential employees and vendors/suppliers.

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

PessoAlumni — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 19:30:44 GMT

Thanks so much for sharing @LoriS2 ! It can definitely be all too easy to get caught up in the day to day, focusing on the what and how of running a business and having the why get lost. It can be so overwhelming!

What are your thoughts on the book so far?

What is your Why, by the way?

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

PessoAlumni — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 19:54:57 GMT

I love that you've read it already and you're diving back into it with us- thank you!

Those are so beautiful and inspiring, @Pippin-and-Gile -- thank you so much for sharing! Definitely sounds like something I would want to join and be a part of. I love it.

I hope this re-read helps you get even better at communicating and already amazing why-

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts in all of our discussions as we go!

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

PessoAlumni — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 19:58:05 GMT

I love that slogan, @YBF !

Sharing joy and happiness through florals is an absolutely wonderful thing.

When you love what you do and it doesn't feel like work, that's when you know you are going the extra mile. That reminds me of one of the quotes I pulled from the book into this Share Your Favorite Quote thread -- check it out!

Looking forward to following your journey through it in our discussions!

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

PessoAlumni — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 19:59:49 GMT

I'm so glad that it's resonating with you so much, even though it was your last pick!

I definitely agree with that -- the Why and the drive is so important and definitely a must to start with!

I'm so glad that you're finding great stuff from it already and that it's inspiring you.

Thank you so much for sharing all of this, @TerriK -- I'd love to hear your draft Why's as you go through formulating it!
What do you have so far?

Re: Start with Why: Opening Discussion

PessoAlumni — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 20:00:38 GMT

Thanks for sharing @Spicec1 -- how's the listening going so far?

I'm glad that you're into it and see the value!