Impulsive Joy

Have you ever wondered what separates the great vision casters from those whose messages fall flat?  Perhaps the most gifted communicators are born with a silver spoon in their mouth?  Umm, probably not actually.  What is more likey the case is that inspired leaders simply discover what is universally true about the human spirit — or more importantly how our brains make decisions.

As it turns out, understanding the brain gives you a significant  advantage in the game of persuasion.

This TED video from Simon Sinek simplistically explains how true leaders inspire action.  Action is something we all want in our ministries and organizations.  Whether it’s for our message to prompt the listener to DO something in response to the information, or a vision cast that prompts a prospective volunteer to take steps toward serving, or personal advice that you want to do more than ring in the ears of your loved ones.  Yes, inspiring action is something leaders aspire for.

What’s the trick?

According to Sinek, many people and organizations know “what” they do and even “how” they do it, but the breakdown happens at the “why” level.  When we leave out the passion/purpose factor, the result a flat, unemotional message about what you offer or make with no reason why it even exists.

Inspired organizations and individuals understand that the real power in a message is to focus on the “why” to elicit the emotional connection to the purpose of the “what” they do.  What is your purpose, cause or belief?  Why does your organization exist and why should anyone care?

What would this look like in, let’s say, volunteer recruiting?

The Uninspired Ask

The natural tendency when recruiting new volunteers might be something like this:

“We have a fun and exciting Children’s Ministry. (what)  We make it easy to serve on Sundays and connect you to other adults and kids. (how) We have a huge need for more help.  Will you join us?”

Meh. Maybe?

Kinda lukewarm, right?  The generic massive uninspired ask resounds with sound of crickets.

The Inspired Ask

The inspired leader might say something like this:

“We believe God is preparing this upcoming generation to lead the church into a season unlike anything ever we have ever experienced.  We challenge the way ministry has always been done because what worked yesterday doesn’t work today and masses of kids are walking away from the church at the time when they should engage and lead. (why) Everything we do is designed to link kids into authentic community so that they have a team of Christ followers cheering them on for all God has called them to be and do.  (how) No matter how you are wired or what your passions are, God has a unique purpose for you and wants you to be a part of the bigger story He is telling through this ministry.  What is your passion? Let’s use it for God’s purpose in reaching this next generation. (what)”

I’m in!  (Aren’t you?!)

Is it that easy?  Maybe.

“The goal isn’t to do business with everybody who needs what you have.  The goal is to do business with people who BELIEVE what you believe.” Simon Sinek

Here’s why:

If you listen to Sinek, you’ll discover that this is all grounded in biology.  The limbic brain is responsible for all of our feelings like trust, loyalty and is responsible for all human behavior, all human decision making and it has no capacity for language.  When you communicate from the “inside out”, you are communicating directly to the emotional part of the brain responsible for decision making.

When you communicate with facts and figures, you are communicating to the neocortex which is responsible for rational, analytical thought and language.  So people can understand the facts, but the neocortex doesn’t drive behavior. The LIMBIC brain does.

If you want to lead a revolution, communicate what you believe.  Stop trying to find warm bodies to fill vacancies. Communicate in such a manner that finds people who believe what you believe because those people will want to join your cause.

“What you do simply serves as the proof of what you believe.” Simon Sinek

Try communicating from the inside out and see if it has a different affect on those around you.  Focus on the WHY instead of the what and you’ll be more effective at triggering that part of the brain that is driven by emotion and responsible for making decisions.

In case you would like to see the innovative and inspired message in action, here’s a little inspiration from a little well known company that has created such a revolution that consumers will camp outside for a product launch to happen. What makes Apple so innovative and successful?  What’s make them different?  It’s in their message.