1. SIMON SINEK: HOW GREAT LEADERS
INSPIRE ACTION
a Brandon Figueroa Presentation

2. SIMON SINEK
 Best known as an author
 His first Ted Talk “How Great
Leaders Inspire Action” is 7th
most viewed on Ted.com
 In 2009 Sinek wrote a book on
the same topic titled “Start With
Why: How Great Leaders Inspire
Everyone to Take Action”
 Sinek is a regular contributor to
the Huffington Post and has also
wrote for The New York Times,
Wall Street Journal and others.

3. SINEK’S THESIS
Sinek believed that in order to
be a leader, There is a certain
way leaders think and he
breaks that down with
something called “The Golden
Circle”. (See image) Most people
know WHAT they do, HOW
they do it but don’t put much
thought into WHY. Sinek says a
leader thinks opposite. They
show you WHY they do it so
you can believe what they
believe. A quote from Simon
Sinek’s Ted Talk: “They don’t
buy what you do, they buy why
you do it”. Referring to the
Wright Brothers & Apple
Company.

4. Sinek opened his Ted Talk by talking
about how some leaders can always
stay ahead and that’s why they lead
in their field. He first mentions Apple
and how over the years they keep
pushing the limits on creating
technology. Talikng about a company
as well known as Apple is a great
way to keep your audience interested
because Apple products are used all
over the world. Many people can
relate especially when there is most
likely an iPhone or iPod in there
pocket.

5. Sinek was able to maintain engagement by
drawing The Golden Circle on an easel.
Showing the visual of The Golden Circle was
a great way to keep an audience engaged
because visuals are easier to understand
then just an explanation. When you provide
both, the message you are trying to give
comes out a lot clearer. He also mentioned
some history like Dr. King and the Wright
Brothers. Associating history with your
speech is great use of examples.

6. Ted Commandments Followed Best:
 Make the complex plain
 Don't flaunt your ego
 No selling from the stage
 Don't read your talk
 End your talk on time
 Rehearse your talk

7. Not once did I see Sinek read from a paper
or jumble up his words. I thought he did a
great job with his presentation. It looked
well rehearsed. I like how he put stories
about the Wright Brothers and Dr. King in
his speech. He also never flaunted his ego
around. Sinek had a point to make and he
made it by sticking to the topic and not
going off topic to sell any type of pitch. I'm
not sure if there was any time limit but
Sinek didn't’t look like he was in a rush to
finish his speech. I enjoyed his Ted Talk.

8. I would rate Simon
Sinek’s dynamism
between a 4 and a 5
because he did have a
positive attitude
throughout the talk. He
was absolutely sure
about everything he
said and that makes
you believe it more.

9. The only reason I didn’t give him a full 5 on dynamism
was because even though he had a positive attitude,
his energy was always in the same dull tone. More
energy during certain parts of the speech would've
gave it more life. Other then that it was great.

10. Garr Reynolds talks about outlining
your content and I believe that Sinek
did that spot on. He knew his topic so
even if he told a story, he bounced
right back to show the relation. Sinek
also kept it simple by drawing and
further explaining The Golden Circle.

11. A few things I learned based
on watching Simon Sinek’s
Talk:
 Have a good opening- Incorporate
any type of story whether fictional
or non-fictional.
 Drawings or any other visuals are
eye catching and will show interest.
 State facts and have examples or
proof to back it up.

12.  Rehearse and know what
you are talking about
 Stick to topic
 Positive attitude and energy
in your speech
 Humor is another way to
keep an audience engaged
 Know when to stop

13. COMPARE AND CONTRAST:
Simon Sinek’s: How Great Leaders Sir Ken Robinson: School Kills
Inspire Action Creativity
 Good Stories and facts  Good Stories and facts
 Kept audience interested  Kept audience interested
 Provided thorough explanations  Provided thorough explanations
 Stayed on Topic  Stayed on Topic
 Serious yet informational  Good use of comedy, jokes and
Humor
 Good use of visuals
 A lot of energy

14. COMPARE AND CONTRAST:
Simon Sinek’s: How Great Leaders Sir Ken Robinson: Changing
Inspire Action Education Paradigms
 Good Stories and facts  Good amount of facts
 Kept audience interested  Kept audience interested
 Provided thorough explanations  Provided thorough explanations
 Stayed on Topic  Stayed on Topic
 Serious yet informational  Creative presentation
 Good use of visuals  Good use of animation

15. LAST MINUTE TIPS:
I thought I knew a lot about public
presentations but after watching
these Ted talks, my eyes have been
opened. The best tip I can give is to
know your material. I know that
you’ve probably heard that over and
over before but its true. You cant
focus on delivery, attitude and all
those other parts until you have
your material down packed. Another
tip is to show people your personal
side and I don’t mean open up your
life to them but to talk to them as if
they were your closest friend.
Making an audience feel
comfortable is a great way to keep
there attention.

16. THANK YOU!
PUBLIC SPEAKING Sept 2012