Why we are all styrofoam cup drinkers!

I came across this great piece from Simon Sinek the other day. An article that spun me on my heels, giving me a 'yes! fist pump' moment. Simon talks about is 'What it means to Lead'. A great listen for your train ride home from the office. Have a listen right to the very end before the styrofoam cup comments becomes clear.
https://youtu.be/dGHWy60VdXw

As you grow up you need to learn when and how to seize an opportunity

• There are two kinds of people in this world – those who see the things they want and those who see the thing that is preventing them from getting the thing they want. 
• Learn to lean in for that bagel. You’re allowed to take short cuts when going after the thing you want. However, you’re not allowed to push someone out of the way and deny them what they want. 
• Stay focused on the thing you want and go after it. Use any means necessary to get what you want but don’t deny anybody else the opportunity of getting the thing that they want. 

Tell the truth 

• Be honest - it is the most important thing you can ever do. 
• If the team you lead doubts for one minute that your words aren’t anything but the truth, then you lose all credibility. If your team thinks that what you are saying covers your own position or casts you in a better light than them, their trust will disintegrate. 

Ask for and accept help 

• The biggest mistake people make is that they think they have to have all the answers or, if they don’t, they have to pretend that they do. 
• One of the biggest failures of most leaders is a belief that leadership credibility comes from intelligence – it doesn’t. 
• Leadership is not knowing all the answers and trusting that others know more than you do. 
• While those at the top have all the authority those at the bottom have all the information. 
• Trust that people know how to do their jobs and when they offer to help you say ‘yes’! 
• Admit that you don’t know things. When you do this people will offer to help. 

Risk trusting people

• Take the risk and wholeheartedly trust people without asking for anything in return. 
• When you trust people, they rise to the occasion and morale increases. 
• Leadership means taking responsibility for risking to trust others even when it all goes wrong. 
• As a leader, when everything goes right the credit is given away. Whenever something goes wrong leaders take responsibility – this is what it means to lead. 

Remember who you are

• Stay grounded and humble.
• The glory and prestige of the perks associated with being a leader are never meant for you. Instead, they are meant for the position you hold.
• As you become more successful and do well in life, you will be afforded many advantages. Stay true to the values you hold and never ever forget that you only ever deserved a styrofoam cup.

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Thanks Simon, you are AMAZING.