Emotional Sage

WHY Why is one of my favorite words in the entire English language. It establishes the backstory, the context. It identifies motivation, which for me builds trust and safety. It reduces assumptions. It fills in the story so your brain doesn't have to make it up. When I tell you why I'm doing what I'm doing, you don't have to guess. You've probably seen the Simon Sinek TED talk "How Great Leaders Inspire Action" yes? If not, I urge you to watch it, pronto. In it, he eloquently explains that communication falls flat when you start with the WHAT or even the HOW . The most compelling and effective communication begins by explaining WHY it matters that you're even having the conversation, let alone WHY someone should take action. He cites a classic example, Dr. Martin Luther King, who's WHY is his dream of equality and justice. Notably, he does not begin his famous speech with, "I have a plan." He articulates his ultimate purpose ...