Allison's Book Corner January 2026 - Start with Why: A Practical Guide for Government Leaders

Simon Sinek’s Start with Why introduces the Golden Circle, a simple but powerful model made up of three concentric circles. The innermost circle is WHY (your purpose or belief), the middle circle is HOW (the actions you take), and the outer circle is WHAT (the results or services you deliver). As Sinek explains:

Most organizations start with WHAT they do and maybe explain HOW they do it. Inspiring organizations, however, begin with WHY. For government agencies, this is especially important because public trust, clarity of purpose, and mission alignment matter just as much as outcomes.

Why the Golden Circle Matters in Government

Government agencies are full of dedicated people doing meaningful work, yet the WHY is often assumed rather than stated. When the WHY is unclear, employees focus on tasks instead of purpose, and decisions can feel disconnected from the mission. Stating the WHY helps everyone understand the bigger picture behind policies, programs, and priorities.

Sinek puts it plainly: You have to talk about your WHY and prove it with WHAT you do. A WHY is a belief, HOWs are the actions taken to live that belief, and WHATs are the tangible results. When all three are in balance, trust is built and value is perceived. In the public sector, trust is everything.

Sinek also reminds us:

For government leaders, clearly articulating a public-serving WHY reinforces credibility with employees, stakeholders, and the community.

Using WHY to Improve Decisions and Communication

A clear WHY provides emotional context for decisions, especially difficult or unpopular ones. As Sinek writes, The ability to put a WHY into words provides the emotional context for decisions. When leaders explain decisions through the lens of purpose, people may not always agree, but they are more likely to understand.

This is incredibly useful in government settings where constraints are real and choices are often scrutinized. Sinek adds:

That clarity reduces confusion and builds alignment across teams.

A strong WHY also empowers employees at every level. With a WHY clearly stated in an organization, anyone within the organization can make a decision as clearly and as accurately as the founder. For agencies managing complex operations, a shared WHY becomes a reliable filter for day-to-day decision-making.

Leading People Toward a Purpose

Sinek draws an important distinction between working on something and working toward something. Average companies give their people something to work on. In contrast, the most innovative organizations give their people something to work toward. In government, this means connecting tasks to the public impact they create.

Leadership is not about having all the answers. The role of a leader is not to come up with all the great ideas. Instead, the role of a leader is to create an environment in which great ideas can happen. A clearly stated WHY creates that environment by giving people a shared direction.

A strong WHY also keeps agencies focused. Companies with a clear sense of WHY tend to ignore their competition. For government, this translates to resisting distractions and staying grounded in mission rather than reacting to external noise.

A Call to Action

Simon Sinek leaves us with a powerful reminder about what truly inspires action:
[Great leaders] are in pursuit of WHY, they hold themselves accountable to HOW they do it and WHAT they do serves as the tangible proof of what they believe. … Leaders never start with what needs to be done. Leaders start with WHY we need to do things. Leaders inspire action.

This week, pause and ask yourself one simple question: Can I clearly explain my WHY in one or two sentences? If not, that’s your starting point. Write it down, test it, and refine it until it feels true and motivating.

Then, look at an upcoming decision, project, or conversation and intentionally lead with WHY. Explain the purpose before the process, and connect the work back to the people or communities it serves. In state and local government, starting with WHY isn’t extra work; it’s how we lead with clarity, credibility, and purpose.

Starting with WHY helps leaders clarify purpose and build trust, but great decisions also require careful thinking and questioning assumptions. Join me on February 2 for Think Smarter, my full-day critical thinking class; it gives you practical tools to sharpen your thinking, make better decisions, and communicate clearly in support of your mission. I hope to see you there!