To operate based on conviction and belief requires an acceptance that your actions could get you fired. This is different from pig-headed bravado, and it is different from putting the company at risk.
Simon SinekRead
My concern is that we live in an economy in which stabbing someone and waiting for them to complain before we remove the knife has become the normal way of doing business. When did we lose sight of the fact that it's not nice to stab people in the first place?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote critiques a business culture that prioritizes profit over ethics, illustrating harmful practices.
Simon Sinek's quote highlights a troubling trend in modern business practices, suggesting that organizations often engage in harmful behaviors toward individuals, only addressing issues when they are brought to light. This metaphorical perspective critiques a lack of empathy and ethics in decision-making, urging a return to fundamental human values where harm should not be the norm and addressing problems proactively is the ethical choice.
Themes
BusinessEthicsEmpathyCultureAccountability
In practice
Example use cases
In a corporate meeting discussing company values, this quote can highlight the need for ethical practices.
More from Simon Sinek
All quotes →The most basic human desire is to feel like you belong. Fitting in is important.
Simon SinekRead
Every company knows what they do _x000D_ Some know how they do it _x000D_ Very few know why
Simon SinekRead
Leaders don’t complain about what’s not working. Leaders celebrate what is working and work to amplify it.
Simon SinekRead
We can rationalize anything and easily quit on ourselves. Leadership is refusing to quit on others.
Simon SinekRead
The trick to balance is to not make sacrificing important things become the norm.
Simon SinekRead
Similar quotes
In this ever-changing society, the most powerful and enduring brands are built from the heart. They are real and sustainable. Their foundations are stronger because they are built with the strength of the human spirit, not an ad campaign. The companies that are lasting are those that are authentic.
Howard SchultzRead
The most important thing you can do is make the distinction between customer service and guest hospitality. You need both things to thrive, but they are completely different.
Danny MeyerRead
When you are in business for a long time, you go through good times and bad times. When you go through bad times, you learn to control costs, satisfy customers better, satisfy employees better and become more transparent. Therefore, you build character in the company.
N. R. Narayana MurthyRead
Cutting prices or putting things on sale is not sustainable business strategy. The other side of it is that you can't cut enough costs to save your way to prosperity.
Howard SchultzRead
Intrinsic value can be defined simply: It is the discounted value of the cash that can be taken out of a business during its remaining life.
Warren BuffettRead
Market leaders inevitably slip into decline when they tell the people what they want instead of giving the people what they want.
Alan SugarRead