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Why good leaders make you feel safe | Simon Sinek | TED
@ TED
05/20/14
Takeaways
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TED Cast
05/20/14
@ TED
Captain William Swenson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery during an ambush in Afghanistan, where he ran into live fire to rescue the wounded and recover the dead.
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TED Cast
05/20/14
@ TED
In the military, medals are awarded to those who sacrifice themselves for others, while in business, bonuses are given to those who sacrifice others for personal gain, highlighting a fundamental misalignment in values.
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TED Cast
05/20/14
@ TED
The environment we create in organizations determines whether individuals feel safe and are willing to perform remarkable acts of courage and cooperation.
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TED Cast
05/20/14
@ TED
Trust and cooperation are feelings that cannot be mandated; they arise from a sense of safety and belonging within a group.
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TED Cast
05/20/14
@ TED
Throughout history, humans evolved as social animals, forming tribes where safety and trust were paramount for survival, which is still relevant in today's organizational dynamics.
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TED Cast
05/20/14
@ TED
Leadership is crucial in setting the tone for safety within an organization, as leaders who prioritize the well-being of their team foster an environment where remarkable things can happen.
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TED Cast
05/20/14
@ TED
When leaders choose to prioritize the safety and belonging of their team over tangible results, it leads to extraordinary outcomes and a strong sense of community.
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TED Cast
05/20/14
@ TED
A gate agent's strict adherence to rules, driven by fear of losing her job, reflects a lack of safety and trust in her leadership, which affects how she treats customers.
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
We like flying Southwest Airlines not because they hire better people, but because their employees don't fear their leaders.
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
When conditions are wrong, we waste our time and energy protecting ourselves from each other, which weakens the organization.
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
When we feel safe in an organization, we combine our talents and strengths to face external dangers and seize opportunities.
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
Great leaders, like great parents, want to provide opportunities, education, and support to help their people achieve more than they could imagine for themselves.
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
Charlie Kim, CEO of Next Jump, believes that just as we wouldn't lay off a child in hard times, we shouldn't consider layoffs in organizations either.
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
At Next Jump, employees cannot be fired for performance issues; instead, they receive coaching and support, similar to how we would help our children.
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
People's anger towards banking CEOs stems from their violation of the social contract of leadership, sacrificing employees for their own interests.
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
Great leaders prioritize their people over numbers; they would rather sacrifice financial metrics to protect their team.
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, believes in 'heart counts' over head counts, and he implemented a furlough program to avoid layoffs during tough times.
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
When leadership makes employees feel safe and protected, it fosters trust and cooperation, leading to spontaneous acts of support among team members.
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
Leadership is a choice, not a rank; true leaders look after their colleagues, regardless of their position in the organization.
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
Leaders earn loyalty by taking risks and making sacrifices for their people, which inspires them to give their all in return.
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
When asked why they would sacrifice for their leader, people respond, 'Because they would have done it for me.'
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Simon Sinek
05/20/14
@ TED
This is the kind of organization we all aspire to work in, where mutual sacrifice and support are the norms.