I’ve spent a fair bit of time coaching people about their reason, their intention, their ‘Why’.
For those of you familiar with my ‘rant’ on Why, it comes about because of Simon Sinek’s enormously popular TED talk, already seen by millions of people.
What is it about the Why?
When people can articulate their own Why, there are triggers that go off, not only in their own physiology, but also in the physiology of the listener.
I am sure those triggers are deeply rooted in the same parts of our brains that give us pleasure when we hear a story.
One of the people I coached this week has worked within community services. His entire life has been for the service of others.
It was really helpful for him to consider my questions:
- What triggered him to start the journey?
- What stories along the way helped to reinforce that his journey was on the right path for him?
Good homework for him and good food for thought for all of us in uncovering our Why!
Here is an example of a Why I like to share with people who I’ve coached:
“For as long as I can remember, I was appalled how much money the government wasted. I decided to become an expert on tax. I made it a purpose of mine to help my clients legally reduce their tax bill – putting more money back in their pockets, rather than in the government coffers.
I happen to be a Tax Partner with PWC.”
Don’t you think this is a lot more engaging than:
“I work with PWC in their tax practice” ??
Stories – whether at job interview – or anywhere else, play on the wiring of the brain.
When we tell stories, the brains of both the teller and the listener get in sync.
According to research from Princeton, an emotional part of the brain, the insula and also the frontal cortex light up whenever a story was told and listened to.
We are wired to hear stories.
Your homework:
Develop your simple, yet engaging story that becomes a foundation of your Why.
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