(Book Extract) Together is Better

written by Simon Sinek, bestselling author of Start with Why and Leaders Eat Last

Today in the morning, we, our family, read some part of the Bible, Ecclesiastes 5:9 to 12.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: if one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?

This afternoon, when we visited a library, I found a small book titled “Together is Better.” What a coincidence. However, this book was about leadership rather than how to live.

I introduce some parts from the book here:

Most of us live our lives by accident—we live as it happens. Fulfillment comes when we live our lives on purpose.

With good leaders, we feel like we work for each other.

To create change that lasts, we need to know what we stand for.

Do something big or small. But stop wondering and go on an adventure

Stop talking about it and do it

Impact comes from action

All that matters is that we start

Wake up, drink your passion, light a match, and get to work

Life requires risk if we are to get anywhere

When we say out loud what we don’t know, it increases the likelihood that someone who does know will offer help.

Innovators are the ones whose dreams are clearer than the reality that tells them they are crazy

The best way to find out if it will work is to do it.

Always plan for the fact that no plan ever goes according to plan

If the challenge we face doesn’t scare us, then it’s probably not that important

When we are open to criticism, what we get is advice

Bad leaders care about who’s right

Good leaders care about what’s right

Don’t complain, contribute

You can’t do it alone, so don’t pretend you can

A team is not a group who work together

A team is a group of people who trust each other

A great leader inspires us to have confidence in what we can do

The opportunity is not to discover the perfect company for ourselves. The opportunity is to build the perfect company for each other.

It is an honor to put the interests of others before ourselves

Our struggles are the short-term steps we must take on our way to long-term success

Failure we can do alone. Success always takes help.

A boss has the title. A leader has the people.

The true value of a leader is not measured by the work they do. The true value of a leader is measured by the work they inspire others to do.

Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we loves is called passion.

To go fast, go alone. To go far, go together – African proverb

Excitement comes from the achievement. Fulfillment comes from the journey that got you there.