Leaders Eat Last

 In his previous book, Start with Why, Simon explained that for an organization to be successful, its leaders need to understand the true purpose of their organization—the WHY. In Leaders Eat Last, Simon takes us to the next level of understanding why some organizations do better than others by detailing all elements of the leadership challenge.

Find it here:

Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in our charge.

-Simon Sinek

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Why I Wrote This

Why do we trust the people we trust? And why should they trust us? I struggled with these questions. We know trust is important in our personal lives and at work, but what exactly is trust? I met people in the military who trusted each other with their lives—I wanted to have that feeling in the place I worked too. Leaders Eat Last was my journey to understand what trust is at a biological and anthropological level, and what I learned completely surprised me.

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Leaders Eat Last

In his bestselling sophomore book, Leaders Eat Last, Simon takes us to the next level of understanding why some organizations do better than others by detailing all elements of the leadership challenge. For a company to be successful, its leaders need to understand the true purpose of their organization, and use that purpose as a northstar not only in how they conduct themselves as a business, but also in how they care for those in their charge.

Other Ways to Become a Better Leader

Join one of Simon’s Master Trainers for a deep dive into lessons from the book.

Keep growing your leadership skills with 24/7 access to our very best classes.

Get in touch with our Experiences Team to make an impact in your organization.

Grow and learn together as a team with a private session of Leaders Eat Last.

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FAQs

Pretty great actually—thanks so much for asking! We hope you’re having a great day as well.

Leaders Eat Last explains where we’ve gone wrong in how we lead others and helps leaders unlearn the mistakes of the past in order to make a positive change in today’s world of business. Simon goes in depth as to why there is a human need for safety, why we’ve become so dangerously out of balance, and how you can become a true leader that makes a difference.

In the book, Simon references a concept called servant leadership. This is the notion that our anthropological neurochemistry makes it natural for us to protect each other and show empathy, rather than just boss others around because of our social status. Simon reframes several concepts and practices of this theory of servant leadership through numerous impactful examples from recent history.

Simon uses the phrase “leaders eat last” in reference to a common practice in the military. This practice would be that the highest ranking officers would be the last to fix their plate at mealtime in order to ensure the people in their command were fed and cared for. As stated in the book, “Leaders are the ones willing to look out for those to the left of them and those to the right of them. Leaders are the ones who are willing to give up something of their own for us. Their time, their energy, their money, maybe even the food off their plate. When it matters, leaders choose to eat last.”

Leaders Eat Last explores the influence that neurochemicals have on our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and examines the disconnect between how our bodies were designed to function and how they function today. Ultimately, this book is about how we can become the true leaders who are needed to direct us to the path that’s better for everyone.

 

  • Be a leader who looks after their people
  • See your employees as human beings 
  • Understand your biological chemicals and adapt
  • Try to create a healthy and safe environment within your organization

Through his experience learning from the military, Simon believes that leadership is a choice, not a rank. Anyone in an organization can be a leader. It’s choosing to look out for the person on your left and the person on your right.

The Circle of Safety is the concept that, since the dawn of civilization, we have needed the feeling of safety and security in order to survive. For most of us, this means that we depend on a network of people that we trust and rely on. This network of people forms our Circle of Safety.

Of the five chemicals Simon discusses in the book, there are two that make all the difference when it comes to a healthy leadership style: serotonin and oxytocin. Serotonin and oxytocin are considered “selfless chemicals” because you can’t release them alone (the way you can with endorphins or dopamine). The release of these chemicals is often contagious, meaning that not only are you releasing these chemicals, but those impacted by you releasing them also benefit and are likely to produce more serotonin and oxytocin.

Why do we trust the people we trust? And why should they trust us? Simon struggled with these questions. He met people in the military who trusted each other with their lives—he wanted to have that feeling in the place he worked too. Leaders Eat Last was his journey to understand what trust is at a biological and anthropological level, and what he learned completely surprised him.

Certified WHY Coach Program Framework

Learn the exact process Simon Sinek uses to help people discover their WHY and guide them to inspire others.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of the program, you’ll be able to:

  • Explain The Golden Circle and its components — WHY, HOWs, and WHATs
  • Guide someone through a WHY Discovery process that leads to a resonant WHY statement and actionable HOWs
  • Help people use their Golden Circle to make better decisions and create positive change in their careers and lives

You’ll also develop essential human skills you can use every day:

  • Building trust
  • Listening to understand
  • Asking better questions
  • Handling emotional conversations with care

How You’ll Learn

The program includes four structured units combining independent learning, live training, and practice:

Day 1 – The Foundation

  • Get to know The Golden Circle 
  • Find out what it means to bring a Golden Circle to life
  • Learn what a WHY Discovery is, how it works, and what the benefits are

Day 2 – The Human Skills

  • Hone the human skills to guide someone through a WHY Discovery:
    • Creating psychological safety
    • Asking effective questions
    • Engaging in active listening

Day 3 – The Process in Practice

  • Learn notetaking strategies that will help you facilitate a WHY Discovery session
  • Develop the analytic and collaborative skills you need to help someone identify and articulate their WHY and HOWs

Day 4 – The Golden Circle in Action

  • Apply everything you’ve learned to facilitate a full WHY Discovery
  • Learn how to wrap up a session
  • Prepare for your next steps to becoming a Certified WHY Coach

Program Details

Format: 4 live classes + independent learning + group practice

Duration: ~ 8-10  hours per unit (including independent learning and live classes) plus ~5 hours to complete the final exam

Certification Requirements:

  • Complete independent work
  • Attend and participate in all live sessions 
  • Pass a final exam and performance assessment

Your Support Team

  • Regular updates and reminders
  • Opportunities to ask questions
  • Personalized feedback from master trainers
  • Ongoing support through your final evaluation

Program and Participation Terms and Conditions

Our mission is to create a supportive learning environment where we grow together to help others. By joining, you agree to show up in service to one another.

Professional Expectations

  • Attend and participate in ALL live classes in their entirety.
  • Complete ALL assigned online coursework.
  • Must be fluent in English.
  • Show up to live classes, community spaces, and group work with respect, kindness, and gratitude.
  • Support your fellow participants with a service mindset.
  • Keep all personal stories shared during the WHY Discovery process confidential.
  • Approach the WHY Discovery journey with empathy, integrity, and care for those you serve.

Participant Cancellation and Transfer Policy

  • Cancel up to 10 days before your cohort start date: Full refund.
  • Cancel less than 10 days before: We’re unable to offer a refund at this stage.
  • Transfer up to 7 days before: You may transfer your spot to another participant for a $200 (USD) fee.

Recording and Photography

  • Participants may not record or screenshot sessions.
  • The Company will record sessions and make them available internally for 30 days.
  • By joining, you understand you may appear on screen and agree that recordings and photos may be used by the Company for program or marketing purposes.

If you prefer not to be included, please contact the team before the first session at [email protected].

Unleash Your Infinite Mindset

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The Art of Creating Fiercely Loyal Customers

Quantity: 1 quantity = 1 team of up to 20 participants

Teams 20+

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For teams of 20+ contact us

Teams of up to 20

Purchase: $999

The Art of Creating Fiercely Loyal Customers

Bundle & Save: $1,198 SAVE $800

Buy Unleash Your Infinite Mindset and The Art of Building Fiercely Loyal Customers together for only $1,198.

Curiosity is essential
                for progress.
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Use code GETCURIOUS for 20% off your next purchase.

A spark is something quite small and, by itself, not very powerful. But a spark has the ability to ignite. An idea is like a spark; alone it is just a set of words, but it too can ignite. A great idea can inspire others to dream bigger. Let us all work together to ignite something greater than ourselves.

Let us all be a Spark of Optimism.