Lesson 3: Helping Teams Thrive Within a Circle of Safety | Simon Sinek

As leaders, we should want our people to self-actualize, to reach a state in which they can achieve their full potential at work and in life. To reach that state, however, people need to feel safe. They need to be protected from internal dangers, such as politics and toxicity, so they can focus on their jobs. In this video lesson, leadership consultant Simon Sinek shows leaders how to create a “circle of safety” where trust and cooperation can thrive. And once in that circle, people can do what they do best. Circle of Safety: When leaders protect employees from internal dangers (e.g., politics, toxicity) so everyone can focus on external dangers (e.g., economic uncertainty, competition) We can’t control the conditions outside our organization. We can only control the conditions inside our organization. As a leader, make it your goal to create an environment of trust and cooperation. In doing so, your people will naturally come together to seize opportunities and face threats. Transitioning to Leadership When we’re junior in our jobs, we’re only responsible for our own performance. Leaders aren’t responsible for the results; they’re responsible for the people who are responsible for the results. Creating a circle of safety begins by making this mental shift. Demonstrating Safety As a leader, consistency is more important than intensity. To show your people that you care for them, continually practice: Honesty A willingness to fight for people over numbers Giving your time and energy © Freethink Media Inc., All Rights Reserved. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Go Deeper with Big Think: ►Become a Big Think Youtube Member Get exclusive classes and early, ad-free access to new releases without leaving Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/@bigthink/membership/ ►Become a Big Think Web Member Get the entire Big Think Class library, premium print issues, live events, and more. https://bigthink.com/membership/ ►Subscribe to Big Think on Substack Get all of your favorite Big Think content delivered to your inbox. https://bigthinkmedia.substack.com/subscribe/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Simon Sinek: Simon O. Sinek is an author best known for popularizing the concept of "the golden circle" and to "Start With Why," described by TED as "a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership all starting with a golden circle and the question "Why?"'. He joined the RAND Corporation in 2010 as an adjunct staff member, where he advises on matters of military innovation and planning. His first TEDx Talk on "How Great Leaders Inspire Action" is the 3rd most viewed video on TED.com. His 2009 book on the same subject, Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action (2009) delves into what he says is a naturally occurring pattern, grounded in the biology of human decision-making, that explains why we are inspired by some people, leaders, messages and organizations over others. He has commented for The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Houston Chronicle, FastCompany, CMO Magazine, NPR, and BusinessWeek, and is a regular contributor to The Huffington Post, BrandWeek, and IncBizNet.