10 [Inspiring] Simon Sinek Leadership Lessons

All your life, you’ve always been told that you should learn to listen.

But here’s the catch.

While listening can really yield great results, especially if you’re a leader, Simon says that it is speaking last that you should learn to master.

Sinek’s favorite example is Nelson Mandela, one of the most inspirational leaders the world has ever had.

Nelson is actually a son of a tribal chief and he’s always present during their tribe’s gatherings when he was younger.

Little Nelson was able to absorb two notable things upon watching his father lead the meetings.

First is that they all sit in a circle…

…and the second being that his father is always the last one to speak.

If you think about it…

…leaders do always have the last words, the closing words in a meeting.

But what Simon emphasizes is the art of not speaking or commenting at all until everyone is done with their parts.

That’s the only time that you, as a leader, will speak.

Why is that?

Let Simon himself explain.

“I see it in boardrooms every day of the week, even people who consider themselves good leaders, who may actually be decent leaders, will walk into a room and say, “here’s the problem,” “here’s what I think but I’m interested in your opinion, let’s go around the room.” ..It’s too late...

...One, it gives everybody else the feeling that they have been heard – it gives everyone else the ability to feel that they have contributed. And two, you get the benefit of hearing what everybody else has to think before you render your opinion.“

The trick is to keep your opinions to yourself. If you agree, don’t nod. And if you disagree, definitely don’t shake your head.

Sounds easy, right?

But actually it’s a skill only a few people have already mastered.

We live in a world where everyone has strong opinions about something and wants to be heard. So keeping yourself silent until everyone has spoken is one of the qualities only a real leader can master.