The Why of Giving

The Why of Giving

Simon Sinek speaks about how homeless people ask for money. He convinces a woman to change her message, and she makes more in two hours than she does in a whole day. Good move on Simon’s part. Then she leaves. She met her daily quota. 

The question that this raised for me is whether Sinek was actually successful in his advice to the woman.

Sinek wants us to focus on the giver and his or her motivation.  I am glad he does. He wants us to think about why we should give to people in need, or affirm workers in the workplace.

Now, as good as this video is, Sinek needs to look more deeply at what is required to change the social and organizational environments that we all inhabit. If you want Mark Laita’s videos, you see the effects of broken environments on people. From my perspective, the range of crises that we are experiencing globally is the product of broken environments, whether social or organizational.

How To Lead In A World of Transition – The Jackson Hole Connection Episode 103

How To Lead In A World of Transition – The Jackson Hole Connection Episode 103

Communities are under great stress. They are the places we live, work, love, and experience the full range of life. We each need to think deeply about our relationship to the place we live. Where do you participate? What is your contribution? What is the difference that matters that you make? 

This is what Stephan Abrams a honored friend and I talk about on his podcast, The Jackson Hole Connection.