November 7, 2011

Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action

Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership all starting with a golden circle and the question "Why?" His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King, and the Wright brothers …

I want to share this terrific video, and my "why".

When clients learn that I have a background in the theater and entertainment industry, they sometimes ask, "Do you miss it?"

It's a bit complicated but essentially, the answer is No.

It has to do with the nature of the two vocations. It's hard for me to think of acting as a profession because it's almost impossible to make a living doing it. I never made much. The Screen Actors Guild will not release employment information. Commonly cited figures include:

Over 73% of SAG members had earnings of less than $5,000 a year.

One-quarter of the members earned between $1 and $1,000.

30% of the membership had no earnings at all.

Only 12% of SAG members earned more than $20,000.

If I set aside the question of remuneration, what I consider is what I value about the two different experiences.

If I delivered a good performance as an actor, there was a temporary high that occurred. There was an exchange of energy and emotion with the audience that is very addicting. It really is like a drug. Often I was left in an altered-state after a performance.

Leading workshops draws upon many of the same skills as acting: using ones voice and behavior, props and even visual media to communicate. Hence, the high of performing is actually satisfied by both vocations. Here's what is really different: If I give a strong performance as an actor, there is that temporary high I mentioned above. But when the audience and I part ways, I almost never have any indication whether my work has had an impact on their lives.

But when I lead a workshop and I see clients experiencing new found confidence, capability, freedom and power, the impact of the work is quite palpable. It's clear that I have made a difference in the lives of my clients.

That is why I do this work. I suspect that is much the same for my partners in this business.