The Single Girl Book Club Review: Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
I have a thing for cults! I don't know what it is, but I am fascinated by them, and every time I see a trailer for a new cult documentary, I immediately click the play button. Just recently, I was wrapped up in the Love Has One: The Cult of Mother God mini-series on HBO MAX and couldn't understand how she accumulated a following. What was it about her that people trusted? What was it that intrigued them in the first place? After I finished that mini-series, in true Meagan fashion, I decided to tune into yet another one on Netflix called How to Become a Cult Leader, and I noticed some similarities between these notorious leaders.
They were charismatic and confident on the surface —which attracted those who were lost and needed guidance—however, deep down, they were arrogant, self-centered, and power-hungry. Most of these group leaders started with good intentions, but those good intentions morphed into an obsessive need for validation. As they gained popularity, their egos began to balloon, and their original mission got contaminated by the lustful desire for fame. After watching hours of their vanity and unresolved traumas, I took a look within myself and asked myself the hard question. Do I exhibit any of these qualities? I want to be a leader, but not like this. How do I prevent it?
As usual, my first line of defense is to research everything I can do to avoid this from happening and become a great leader. One that empowers and exhibits patience. One that encourages and takes accountability and one that is honest and vulnerable. After dropping a few of those keywords into the good ol' Google search and watching some YouTube videos, I came across a TedTalk featuring Author Simon Sinek. He was talking about the importance of establishing your Why. Intrigued by this presentation, I dug a little deeper and found out that he wrote a book entitled Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t, so I added it to my cart.
It took me much longer than I had anticipated, but I finally finished it, and I must say that I truly gained a better understanding of how to become an inspiring leader.
MY BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS
The Circle of Safety
A circle of safety reduces the threats people feel inside an organization or group. This group is created by offering a strong culture based on a clear set of human values and beliefs. It gives the individuals in it the power to make decisions and offers them trust and empathy. Sinek states that “by creating a circle of safety around the people in the organization, leadership reduces the threats people feel inside the group, which frees them up to focus more time and energy to protect the organization from the constant dangers outside.” If an organization doesn't have this circle, the people within it will be preoccupied with how they can protect themselves from one another. This distracts them from the organization's or group's overall mission. He further states that “the strength and endurance of a company does not come from products or services but from how well their people pull together.” Feeling safe within a group is what motivates others, and without it, the group will crumble.
Give Authority to Those Closest to the Information
In the book, Sinek discusses how those with all the authority don't always have all the information. Those without authority tend to have most, if not all, of it. If those in leadership positions make decisions without all the information, it can cause something bad to happen and create an environment where individuals are trained for compliance.
The book gives an excellent example of Captain Marquet performing drills after he took control of a new Navy ship. He barked orders to his crew that couldn't be fulfilled because the ship didn't have all the capabilities of his last one. Instead of his team letting him know it was impossible, they performed it anyway.
This example was eye-opening for me! Being a leader means that I need to understand that I may not know everything, no matter how much experience I have or research I’ve done. I am always a student. As a leader, it is my job to empower others, give them responsibility, hold them accountable, and make sure they have the tools to succeed. It requires that I trust them to fulfill the tasks at hand, and they trust me to protect them and offer them direction.
“Leadership is about integrity, honesty, and accountability.”
- Simon Sinek
Give Time, Not Just Money
This was by far one of my favorite things I've read in this book. Quality time is one of my love languages, and I love spending mine with the people I care for most. I am grateful for those who give their time to help me with anything, and I consider it incredibly rude when others are late and their time mismanagement inconveniences me.
Sinek highlights the power of giving one's time rather than one's money. It makes a larger impact when an individual gives their time to help a cause. Yes, not all of us have the time to help with every organization we love, and sometimes, the quickest way to help is by donating. However, others are more inspired by the time and energy given to help further a cause than the dollars donated.
Overall, I found this book to be incredibly useful and offered helpful tips on how NOT to be a cult leader. I appreciated the different real-life examples and the recurring theme throughout the book about the importance of relationships for survival and a sense of fulfillment. Leaders are protectors and constantly think about the betterment of those they lead. They aren't easily impressed by recognition and notoriety but are passionate about amplifying and empowering the people in their care. Most importantly, they inspire others to take action!
If you are looking for ways to become a better leader and inspire a team, group, or organization, I suggest you read this book. It contains strategies that I plan on implementing in all of my future businesses.
