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Book Review: 'Leaders Eat Last' by Simon Sinek



Get your copy here: amzn.to/3TUeXWG


Ted Talk superstar and best-selling author Simon Sinek, best known for Start With Why, brings us Leaders Eat Last — a book that deals with creating the type of environment that inspires people to come together and work naturally to create remarkable things. He looks into the fundamental philosophies that separate great leaders from the not so great. Based on his learnings from a range of companies around the world, Sinek explores the truth that some teams tend to work better than others, and how to adopt the principles that facilitate greater working culture. Sinek draws inspiration for the book from a conversation with a Marine Corps general, who said 'Officers eat last.' He makes the argument as to why this symbolic perspective is a strategic lever for business leaders. In a highly competitive and chaotic business world that's filled with ego, paranoia, self-interest and cynicism, Sinek calls business leaders to create a working model that’s built on trust and corporation, drawing his leaders in areas as wide as military to business, government to investment banking and more.


Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last takes the long view, and digs into the concept of leadership and how it came about from an evolutionary perspective. This allows Sinek to base his thinking along with the context of biology and psychology, to give shape and form the strength and game of leadership encompassing fundamental aspects like safety, trust and belonging. Connecting the dots with an evolutionary perspective and scientific grounding, Sinek presents a compelling approach to leadership that’s worth learning from.


Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last introduces a metaphor called the ‘circle of safety’, as a way to build a culture that’s based on collaboration and trust, within teams and among corporations and partners. He suggests that risk is an essential element that needs support, as individuals can really shine when they are allowed and have the backing and encouragement of risk-taking. Leaders ought to create environments that facilitate the free sharing of ideas in a safe way so contributors can feel compelled to share and contribute to the broader transformation of a company.


Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last emphasises the importance of shared value as a driving force of a company’s success. One is to set up a few company values, and the other to live up to it and execute them. Sinek suggests that leaders need to be living examples of how a company’s values are being demonstrated. He offers real examples that show how leaders successfully execute the company values in all sorts of interesting ways. Values can serve a guiding force for companies to present themselves, and align employees while also attracting future talent. Sinek shows that leaders can achieve transformative impact by pursuing a value-driven approach to leadership.


Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last highlights empathy as a key emotional framework within which leaders can achieve great strides. Creating a workplace culture of inclusivity and psychological safety is underpinned by the power of empathy. Drawing real life stories and examples across all categories of business and beyond, Simon makes the case for why leaders need to cultivate empathy as a core leadership trip. It allows strong connection with teams and helps companies pursue progress in meaningful ways.


Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last dissects a variety of successful organisations and discovers that trust is a key factor in moving many needles: from open communication to accountability to transparency and integrity. With a culture of trust, organisations undermine their potential, and the potential of what their employees can achieve. He makes the case of how elements of trust can drive progress across all areas of business competence.


Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last is a book that helps leaders realise the value of leading with courage. One key difference between great leaders and the rest is the level of courage exercised in situations, and in particular difficult situations. Staying true to one’s values and making tough decisions is an exercise of courage. Sinek reveals many stories, anecdotes and references that show what makes some leaders better and how they’ve used courage as a means to make a mark. Courage isn’t just something associated with aggression, but as much courage is derived from embracing one’s vulnerability. To lead effectively is the product of confront things with courage, from the inside and outside.


Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last brings to light a very important aspect of vision, illustrating it through the game of finite and infinite leadership. While short termism is a finite game, long-termism comes from the mindset of an infinite game of leadership. Sinek suggests that great leaders tend to prioritise the long-term gains over short-term gains, and manage themselves accordingly, from fostering relationships to embracing a sense of purpose with the long lens. This is a refreshing book that resets the minds of potential leaders and sets them towards becoming a great leader capable of creating a culture that delivers long-term success.

Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last is an inspiring read that influences leaders to put the needs of their teams first, create a circle of safety for ideas to be shared, which motivate them to work harder, leading to organizations that then become more successful. This is a book that helps leaders create high-performance teams, thriving in a culture of trust, aspiration and belonging. The book reveals a range of themes. Like trust, because with trust, teams work and collaborate better. Belonging, because belonging creates commitment. Purpose, because purpose gives meaning to work, and helps employees feel the motivation and difference. Overall, this is a book that inspires and creates great leaders out of those with the right intentions. Get your copy here: amzn.to/3TUeXWG




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