Book: Start with why - Simon Sinek
For me, this book is about motivation. And how that motivation is a crucial aspect in your work. It's about why you, or your company, does what it does. The reason you get out of bed every morning. That 'why' should be the starting point of any work that you do.
If you think about it, it sounds super logical. Having a well articulated motivation can get you very far. What you do and how you do that often does not set you apart from others. It's easy for someone else to copy that. Having an unprecedented amount of motivation can set you apart.
People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it.
The golden circle
The core framework of the book is the golden circle:
Why: the core part of the circle is the why. It's the core belief why you, or your company, does what it does. Very few organizations can clearly explain why they do what they do. Being able to clearly articulate your why can increase your chance of success as an entrepreneur.
How: this is your value proposition, the way you try to achieve your why. It's about principles or processes that might set you apart from others.
What: This is what you do. It could be offering a product or a service. Every organization can explain what they do.
Example
An example Sinek uses throughout the book is Apple. Apple's core belief is breaking the status quo. This is reflected in its slogan 'Think Different'.
I was born later than Apple's birth so I haven't experienced this firsthand. I just know Apple as a good product. But it makes sense when I remember the iPod and iTunes.
I realized that indeed there are multiple products as good or even better than Apple's when it comes to computers. I had a Dell for a few years because it had way better specs for a lower price. But the experience was bad, especially once I needed service, and I switched back to Apple in the end.