Guiding principles Quote by Simon Sinek
““For values or guiding principles to be truly effective they have to be verbs. It’s not “integrity,” it’s “always do the right thing.” It’s not “innovation,” it’s “look at the problem from a different angle.” Articulating our values as verbs gives us a clear idea … we””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Start With Why, Simon Sinek, 2009
Values work best when expressed as actions, turning abstract ideas into concrete behavior.
In simple terms: Values should be verbs, not nouns.
Key Takeaway
Make values actionable.
Themes
leadership
values
behavior
Mood
inspirational
practical
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- performance reviews
- personal goal setting
Key Concepts
actionability
psychology
organizational culture
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you turn a value into a daily habit?
- What verb best captures your core principle?
A Different Perspective
People may struggle to translate abstract values into specific verbs.
![“You [should] persist even though there are some short-term stresses and even though there is some uncertainty, because it's the right thing to do.” quote by Simon Sinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/246/simon-sinek-349_persist_you-should-persist-even-though-there-are_286638.jpg)
