There is an entire section
in the bookshop
called self-help,
but what we really need
is a section called
Help Others.
There is an entire section
in the bookshop
called self-help,
but what we really need
is a section called
Help Others.
Simon is an unshakeable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together.
Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are, and end the day fulfilled by the work they do.
A trained ethnographer, Simon is fascinated by the people and organizations that make the greatest and longest-lasting impact. Over the years, he has discovered some remarkable patterns about how they think, act, and communicate, and also the environments in which people operate at their natural best.
Simon may be best known for his TED Talk on the concept of WHY, which has been viewed over 60 million times, and his video on millennials in the workplace—which reached 80 million views in its first week and has gone on to be seen hundreds of millions of times.
He continues to share inspiration through his bestselling books, including global bestseller Start with WHY and New York Times bestsellers Leaders Eat Last and The Infinite Game, as well as his podcast, A Bit of Optimism. In addition, Simon is the founder of The Optimism Company, a leadership learning and development company, and he publishes other inspiring thinkers and doers through his publishing partnership with Penguin Random House called Optimism Press.
His unconventional and innovative views on business and leadership have attracted international attention, and he has met with a broad array of leaders and organizations in nearly every industry. He frequently works with different branches of the US Armed Forces and agencies of the US government, and is an adjunct staff member with the RAND Corporation—one of the most highly regarded think tanks in the world.
Simon is also active in the arts and with not-for-profit work, or what he likes to call the for-impact sector. In 2021, he founded The Curve: a diverse group of forward-thinking chiefs and sheriffs committed to reform modern policing from the inside out. Their purpose is to build a profession dedicated to protecting the vulnerable from harm while advancing a vision of a world in which all people feel justice is administered with dignity, equity, and fairness.
We achieve more when we chase the dream instead of the competition.
Start with WHY
This book is about how articulating your purpose can inspire you and those around you. Organizations and leaders that start with their purpose, or “why,” are more successful and have a greater impact than those that don’t.
Leaders Eat Last
Leaders and organizations who prioritize the well-being of their employees are more successful. Explore the science behind why some teams come together while others fall apart, and how leaders can create a culture of trust, cooperation, and collaboration.
The Infinite Game
Leaders who embrace an infinite mindset build stronger, more innovative, more inspiring organizations. Learn how to lead with confidence and thrive in an ever-changing world.
Find Your WHY
Simon started a movement to inspire people to do the things that inspire them. Co-written along with David Mead and Peter Docker, this book is a practical guide to help readers discover their WHY and bring it to life.
Together is Better
This book was designed to be given as a gift to someone you want to inspire, or to say thank you to someone who inspires you. This story will remind you to ask for help, and help others discover their own courage through a charming fable about change.
Pretty great actually—thanks so much for asking! We hope you're having a great day as well.
Simon is just one person with a BIG message, and with a message that big, he can't do it alone. Simon has a very busy schedule, but he has selected and trained a roster of incredible Optimist Instructors to help teach his content and spread his vision of a bright future. If you are interested in bringing Simon's lessons to your organization, feel free to contact our Experiences Team for speaking fees and availability.
Simon appears in many of the courses available on Leaderful, our leadership learning platform. He also hosts live Q&A sessions for Leaderful Pro members.
With the craziness of Simon's schedule, he does not have any plans to go on a tour in the near future. He is instead focusing his time and effort on furthering the Help Others Industry with some exciting projects to come!
The military is one of the few places where leadership is literally a matter of life and death. The lessons learned in those environments are profound and universally applicable. Simon has spent years working with different branches of the US Armed Forces and has seen firsthand how great leadership transforms organizations.
Simon believes every generation faces unique challenges shaped by the environment they grew up in. His viral video on millennials in the workplace was about empathy—understanding the forces that shaped a generation so we can better support them. The same compassion applies to every generation.
One of Simon's favorite quotes is by American businessman Herb Kelleher. The full quote is: “You don't hire for skills, you hire for attitude. You can always teach skills.”