PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Simon Sinek, a famed author, and inspirational speaker, spoke to members of the Picatinny Arsenal community during a live, virtual telecast on Sep. 6.
The event was one of several Leadership Speaker Series activities hosted on the Arsenal this year. Lt. Col. Alexander Burgos, Picatinny Arsenal garrison commander, hosted and began the event in the with brief comments and introduction, tying the connective loop between the wide variety of speakers that have been invited to provide insights to Picatinny employees.
Speaking from his home in California, Sinek’s presentation was broadcast to the Picatinny workforce gathered in the Lindner Conference Center, as well as to those watching on Microsoft Teams, which also included colleagues at U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) ID-Sustainment at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.
Sinek’s unconventional and innovative views on business and leadership have attracted international attention. He has met with a broad array of leaders and organizations in nearly every industry. Sinek frequently works with different branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and agencies of the U.S. government. He is also an adjunct staff member with the RAND Corporation—one of the most highly regarded think tanks in the world.
The 49-year-old English-born American has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are, and end the day fulfilled by the work they do.
Understanding that military leaders often may only have two to three years in command before rotating to another installation, Sinek told audience members that they should not always make decisions that will have immediate impact while under their watch.
“When the time we are given is short, we take the expedient route because we know it works,” Sinek said, describing the decision-making process in which commanders or leaders may take during their tenure.
Sinek also described several examples of sacrifice in leadership. Sometimes you may build an organization to achieve a high-performing output. But then the next leader gets the credit because “the train kept moving” or continued to build on the foundation that you set. Or just the opposite may happen. You work to build up an organization, but then after you leave, the momentum or team cohesion is lost.
“When you join the U.S. Army, there is an oath that you take, but then there is process underneath which is often unspoken,” Sinek said. “It is ‘I promise to leave this organization in a better place than I found it.’ Part of the pride is looking back on the organization and saying, ‘That unit was highly functional and more organized because I was there’, even if nobody else recognizes it. To learn to have that pride in leaving the organization in better shape, is a powerful thing.
“Do the right thing,” Sinek added. “It may take a little longer—few weeks, a few months, a few years--, before we bear the fruit. But we’re going to plant the seed, we’re going to water it, and then the next leader, and the next leader, and the next leader, will all benefit from the changes that we are making. Be very, very public about your strategy.”
Sinek is the author of five best-selling books, but he may be best known for his TED Talk on the concept of WHY, which has been viewed more than 60 million times. His video on millennials in the workplace reached 80 million views in its first week. The video has gone on to be seen hundreds of millions of times.
The Leadership Speaker Series has featured a variety of influential leaders on various spectrums of government or industry speak to Picatinny Arsenal employees and family members. Previous guests include Mike Stanzilis, the mayor of Mount Arlington, N.J., Retired Rear Admiral Tom Kearney, and social media mogul Gary Vaynerchuk, among others.
"Upon the inception of the Leadership Speaker Series, Lt. Col. Burgos and I had agreed on hosting influential leaders/speakers to share their styles and knowledge of leadership with Team Picatinny,” said Mike Tracy, a plans specialist in the garrison’s Plans, Analysis and Integration Office, which facilitated the event.
“I chose Mr. Simon Sinek because after reading his book ‘Why Leaders eats Last’ it really inspired me and opened my eyes to new styles and motivations for everyday and everywhere. This isn't just for work. It’s a lifestyle."
Picatinny Arsenal garrison leadership will continue to hold the leadership speaker series throughout the year. Information of future speakers will be sent to the workforce via email, and will allow for both in-person and virtual attendance.
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