Background Information: The Golden Circle
It is important to know why you are preparing to perform a task, prior to beginning the task. Simon Sinek wrote a book, Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, in which he establishes that those who want to inspire others to reach for their very best have to begin with an understanding of the “why”—that is, what they want to do.
In Chapter 3 of his book, Sinek introduces the core of his Start With Why theme which he calls The Golden Circle.
His Golden Circle concept consists of three parts: why, how, and what.Why: Very few people or companies can clearly articulate why they do what they do. Although this does not tell us how to run a successful and profitable company, understanding your why results in great productivity. Why is all about your purpose. Why does your company exist? Why do you get out of bed in the morning? Why should anyone care?
How: Some people and companies know how they do what they do. Those that can describe the process of producing their product from beginning to end are definitely more in touch with what their product means to the people they serve. How is usually described by highlighting what is different between what one company or person offers compared to another. How is often given to explain not only how something is different, but how it is better.
What: No matter how big or small a company may be, every person in the company knows what that company produces. They can easily describe in detail not only what the company produces, but what their role is in the production process. Typically, everyone is clear about the what.
Sinek submits that when most people focus on what, how, and why, in that order, productivity is hindered. However, when they start with “why” and seek to understand things from the inside out of the circle, buy-in and effectiveness exponentially increase. “Why” is the reason behind people’s buy-in to a product.
Simon Sinek uses Apple as an example to the power of why. Apple is one of many computer companies and produces products that are not so unique from its competitors. However, Apple does a great job of embedding its why into all of their communique. Apple’s “Why” is to challenge the status quo and empower the individual.
Their consistency in weaving this message in all they say and do, is why people perceive Apple as authentic. Watch the following video:
What does this have to do with education? Effective educators apply the Golden Circle to themselves as they prepare content, lessons, and choose instructional approaches for their students. Thus, it is prudent that you contemplate why you want to become an educator and be very aware of who or what influenced you to begin this journey.
In your initial response, you are required to post one question. Develop and present a question, thought, or idea in question form to your classmates that will stimulate them to respond and engage in a meaningful discussion around your post. Craft a stimulating question around your “why” for wanting to be an educator, the qualities of educators verses teachers, and why you believe you possess the qualities of an educator.
