Simon Sinek presents a simple but powerful model for how leaders inspire action, starting with a golden circle and the question “Why?” His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King, and the Wright brothers — and as a counterpoint Tivo, which (until a recent court victory that tripled its stock price) appeared to be struggling.

“We raise something here with you today: the distinction between love and approval.
Pay attention to the stories you tell…the ones you tell yourself and the ones you share with others. You missed a deadline. Does that internal critic take over and comment on your laziness? Does it remind you if you were more intelligent or more focused you would have completed the task? Or does the curious you take a look and notice an opportunity to create a different approach next time and learn from the experience?
The Kindness Formula goes like this: