The Way To Work – Is To Believe
The Way To Work – Is To Believe
The Way To Work – Is To Believe
The Way To Work – Is To Believe
What you believe determines why you work. Your core beliefs influence the way you live and work. Talking about what you believe at work determines how much other people believe in you and are willing to follow you.
What you believe determines why you work.
Your core beliefs influence the way you live and work. Talking about what you believe at work determines how much other people believe in you and are willing to follow you.
Since 2006, Simon Sinek has been saying, “People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” His Ted talk, How Great Leaders Inspire Action, is still one of the most watched Ted Talks of all time. He proclaims you must know your “why” to be successful, why start with why. Sinek makes clear that the inverse is also true, that people do not respond positively toward you unless you know why you do what you do.
Simon is an unabashed and unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. This is why he works. Described as "a visionary thinker with a rare intellect," Sinek knows why he works and his ability to clearly communicate his “why” has made him one of the top thought leaders of our time.
Simon is not alone in his theory of how belief drives action. Historic and modern experts in psychology agree with Simon’s insights. In William James’ seminal essay, The Psychology of Belief, James said, “Beliefs are the governing principles of our actions.”
Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world and create a reality that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are, and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do. Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game.
Earlier this year Simon gave an interview where he explained how, back in 2006, his commitment to his beliefs changed why he worked, and this caused him to start talking openly about what he believed instead of what he did. He makes clear how the habit of leading conversations with what he believed changed his life — watch the full interview here:
Work Based On Belief Changes The World
Those who have the strongest beliefs about their work have made the most impact on the world. This is true for George Washington — his belief in freedom caused him to fight for freedom and form our democracy. This is true for Adolf Hitler — his belief in a supreme race caused him carry out evil genocide and led the word to war. This is true for Martin Luther King — His belief that all men are created in the image of God caused him to stand up and advocate with our nation's leaders to establish equal rights for all humans regardless of race.
Belief drives people in all spheres of work too. The world's greatest industries and accomplishments — from geographical exploration to medical advancements and technological inventions — all started with humans believing there could be a better way.
Core beliefs are the catalyst for why people do what they do. Good core beliefs cause people to create great innovations that lead to human flourishing, and, unfortunately, bad core beliefs can create great destruction that leads to unnecessary suffering and death. What we believe impacts the way we work; so it’s incredibly important to have a source to help you know what to believe.
Belief Informs The Way To Work
What we believe about God is the most important thing about us, and our belief in God, or lack thereof, shapes all of our other beliefs. On the night Jesus was betrayed, arrested, and given over to be hung on a cross — the world's most accomplished leader — reminded His followers of the most basic truths. Jesus said,
“Believe in God; believe also in me… I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:1,6
Belief that Jesus is the only way to the Father — the source of all truth — perfectly informs our work.
- The Way — Jesus is the way to the Father. So we follow His way of laying down His rights and privileges to reconcile the world to His Father. This is a model for work. We should not work primarily for our own needs and desires but for the benefit and flourishing of others. Jesus met people’s temporary presenting needs and built their trust to eventually meet their eternal needs. We can do the same! We should work in a way that provides what people are asking for, even when it costs us time and money. This will facilitate opportunities to share the gospel and show them The Way.
- The Truth — Jesus is the truth. Jesus is the word made flesh (John 1:14), and God’s written word, the Bible, has precedence over all human life and activity. This includes all our thoughts and ideas, all industry experts, all of your own fears and desires, over public opinion, over input of bosses and family members, and even over what you think is practical. When we follow His truth at work, we are transformed from conformity to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2) into providers of people's biggest needs.
- The Life — Jesus is the life. True life is found only in Jesus. Jesus is the reason for your life; so he is also the reason for your career. Tim Keller once said, “Jesus is not just help for your life, He is your life. Jesus is not just help for your career, He is the reason for your career. When you get up in the morning, Jesus has to be first.” Jesus provides life and goes with you throughout the day. Jesus is in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). When we believe Jesus is with us all day, we become conduits of life for others — even during the most basic tasks.
Throughout history, ordinary people like you and me have worked this way and their beliefs changed the world. In the city of Memphis, alone, the industries of healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, and education have been transformed by Christians to provide for people's basic needs while providing life giving hope at the same time.
Resources
Worksheet: View and download
What you believe determines why you work.
Your core beliefs influence the way you live and work. Talking about what you believe at work determines how much other people believe in you and are willing to follow you.
Since 2006, Simon Sinek has been saying, “People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” His Ted talk, How Great Leaders Inspire Action, is still one of the most watched Ted Talks of all time. He proclaims you must know your “why” to be successful, why start with why. Sinek makes clear that the inverse is also true, that people do not respond positively toward you unless you know why you do what you do.
Simon is an unabashed and unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. This is why he works. Described as "a visionary thinker with a rare intellect," Sinek knows why he works and his ability to clearly communicate his “why” has made him one of the top thought leaders of our time.
Simon is not alone in his theory of how belief drives action. Historic and modern experts in psychology agree with Simon’s insights. In William James’ seminal essay, The Psychology of Belief, James said, “Beliefs are the governing principles of our actions.”
Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world and create a reality that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are, and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do. Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game.
Earlier this year Simon gave an interview where he explained how, back in 2006, his commitment to his beliefs changed why he worked, and this caused him to start talking openly about what he believed instead of what he did. He makes clear how the habit of leading conversations with what he believed changed his life — watch the full interview here:
Work Based On Belief Changes The World
Those who have the strongest beliefs about their work have made the most impact on the world. This is true for George Washington — his belief in freedom caused him to fight for freedom and form our democracy. This is true for Adolf Hitler — his belief in a supreme race caused him carry out evil genocide and led the word to war. This is true for Martin Luther King — His belief that all men are created in the image of God caused him to stand up and advocate with our nation's leaders to establish equal rights for all humans regardless of race.
Belief drives people in all spheres of work too. The world's greatest industries and accomplishments — from geographical exploration to medical advancements and technological inventions — all started with humans believing there could be a better way.
Core beliefs are the catalyst for why people do what they do. Good core beliefs cause people to create great innovations that lead to human flourishing, and, unfortunately, bad core beliefs can create great destruction that leads to unnecessary suffering and death. What we believe impacts the way we work; so it’s incredibly important to have a source to help you know what to believe.
Belief Informs The Way To Work
What we believe about God is the most important thing about us, and our belief in God, or lack thereof, shapes all of our other beliefs. On the night Jesus was betrayed, arrested, and given over to be hung on a cross — the world's most accomplished leader — reminded His followers of the most basic truths. Jesus said,
“Believe in God; believe also in me… I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:1,6
Belief that Jesus is the only way to the Father — the source of all truth — perfectly informs our work.
- The Way — Jesus is the way to the Father. So we follow His way of laying down His rights and privileges to reconcile the world to His Father. This is a model for work. We should not work primarily for our own needs and desires but for the benefit and flourishing of others. Jesus met people’s temporary presenting needs and built their trust to eventually meet their eternal needs. We can do the same! We should work in a way that provides what people are asking for, even when it costs us time and money. This will facilitate opportunities to share the gospel and show them The Way.
- The Truth — Jesus is the truth. Jesus is the word made flesh (John 1:14), and God’s written word, the Bible, has precedence over all human life and activity. This includes all our thoughts and ideas, all industry experts, all of your own fears and desires, over public opinion, over input of bosses and family members, and even over what you think is practical. When we follow His truth at work, we are transformed from conformity to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2) into providers of people's biggest needs.
- The Life — Jesus is the life. True life is found only in Jesus. Jesus is the reason for your life; so he is also the reason for your career. Tim Keller once said, “Jesus is not just help for your life, He is your life. Jesus is not just help for your career, He is the reason for your career. When you get up in the morning, Jesus has to be first.” Jesus provides life and goes with you throughout the day. Jesus is in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). When we believe Jesus is with us all day, we become conduits of life for others — even during the most basic tasks.
Throughout history, ordinary people like you and me have worked this way and their beliefs changed the world. In the city of Memphis, alone, the industries of healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, and education have been transformed by Christians to provide for people's basic needs while providing life giving hope at the same time.
Resources
Worksheet: View and download