If we don’t shift gears, we are choosing global devastation — socially, environmentally, economically — and while millions of people are working to make things better, humanity is still finding it incredibly difficult to change the game to a sustainable, prosperous, and joyful future. At Six Seconds we’ve found incredibly powerful methods of catalyzing positive change, and teaching people to lead transformation, each of us starting with ourselves. By leveraging current neuroscience, we teach the learnable, measurable skills of emotional intelligence: Will you join us?
My daughter recently shared a powerful video about leading action. Simon Sinek says it’s about starting with the why – then the how and what, as I did in the description above (see more about this in the video below). It resonated with me because at Six Seconds, we measure and teach the skills of emotional intelligence so people can lead positive change. We articulate these skills in What, How, and Why:
What: |
Know Yourself (self-awareness) — what is happening, what am I thinking, doing & feeling? |
How: |
Choose Yourself (self-management) — how am I responding or reacting – is that how I really want to show up? Are there other options? |
Why: |
Give Yourself (self-direction) – why am I here right now? What is my real purpose? Am I aligning the What & How with this WHY? |
Substantiating these three “pursuits” we offer eight learnable, measurable competencies that enable people to put emotional intelligence into action. These pursuits and skills drive some 60% in the variation of performance, they’re cross culturally valid, and they can be developed and utilized. With dozens of published assessments, books, training tools, and development programs, we equip people to learn and use these competencies. In our training and coaching, we use these three pursuits as a process framework to enable people to move from their current situation toward their most important goals — at work, school, home, and in the community. Because the current status quo is not working — and the most powerful lever for transformation is tapping the power of emotions.
In my experience, some people are more convinced by the “what and how” – having rigorous data and powerful methodologies. And, I completely agree with Sinek that the WHY is often missing, and the piece that actually drives the emotion, which drives response. The Six Seconds Model of Emotional Intelligence is unique in that we’ve identified a competency called “Pursue Noble Goals” as part of emotional intelligence. When we are totally clear about our purpose, and we put that in action, we’re able to transform our own and others’ emotions in a profound way.
I’ve found that fear of not being accepted causes me to emphasize the “practical” and “businesslike” aspects of my work. So, if I take Simon’s advice and put the WHY first, it will compel me to put it out there — to stand up and stand out for this message. Since I see that this is one of the most important commitments I can make, I’ll say again:
If we don’t shift gears, we are choosing global devastation — socially, environmentally, economically — and while millions of people are working to make things better, humanity is still finding it incredibly difficult to change the game to a sustainable, prosperous, and joyful future. At Six Seconds we’ve found incredibly powerful methods of catalyzing positive change, and teaching people to lead transformation, each of us starting with ourselves. By leveraging current neuroscience, we teach the learnable, measurable skills of emotional intelligence: Will you join us?
Will you?
Here is Simon’s video to help you communicate your choice:
- How Emotional Intelligence Coaches Use Emotions in Goal Setting - October 2, 2024
- 3 Winning Strategies for Successful Change Leadership: Coaching with Emotional Intelligence - September 4, 2024
- 3 Emotional Intelligence Tips for the Essence of Coaching - July 31, 2024
I have now your Ebook. Thank you very much. I’ll write you my comments soon.
MBR,
The what how and why are used in my line of work for design. WE use it as a framework for what we know is needed, then how we can achieve it. When the How’s are analyzed, and one clearly has the best rationale (Why) for being the best solution, it is transformed into the newest What, and then new How’s are created to determine a solution for that newest what, and so-on until we know what we need to make or do to achieve product success.
I am curious about the philosophical under-pinnings of the WHAT, HOW and WHY. Is this a subset of the grander form of Rhetoric? Have you investigated this?
Haven’t really investigated that Dave, but the framework is something we’ve worked with for 20 years and it’s just worked well
🙂
Dear Josh, You have touched me. Thank you for your commitment
I joint Six Seconds
Warmly
Margarida
i really enjoyed your ei workshop held in cedar lodge saskatchewan canada. i was so very intuned with the presentation and it was no surprise that this method has worked for me. Being a ojibway cree with a solid foundation made me realize how very fortunate i am. Historically we had our own way of living in peace and in harmony with mother Nature. As a result our egos were not a huge part of out beings but thinking as a wholistic way. Thanks for the reminder that i am indeed on the right path. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing! we can and will inspire the whole world!
Hi Patricia – I have fond memories of when I did course there with Debra & Carol — my experience was beautiful people in a beautiful place, and I felt that sense of wholeness too. I’m so glad to hear it was a powerful week — thank you for posting and the commitment to keep spreading the inspiration.
Warmly,
– Josh
Hi Josh. Great article, and a cool new way to use KCG!
I also liked Simon’s TEDx talk, he had some very cool points, esp. about leading with Why!
I agreed with all but one of his tenants… he said we “cannot feel loved and supported” without touch, without being there in person. We have found that people can, and do, feel quite loved, by connecting properly on-line and by phone. Of course, it’s a richer, deeper experience in person, but I’m happy to report that it IS possible, and doable, to lend very real emotional meaning and support, remotely.
… and Yes, I joined you long ago!
– Matt
Yes, I would be honoured to join you.
Very inspiring : and really practical too, what I do, how I do it and WHY I do it…the WHY is important to me. Thank you
Changing the world start with oneself. We then become an influence to others.
Interesting talk, Josh, and – as usual – very inspiring. I recently read an article about some follow up research to the (in)famous experiments conducted by Milgram about the power of authority. In the old experiments some volunteers would be asked by an authority to administer a (fake) electrical shock to people who would not answer correctly to some questions. The volunteers didn’t know that the shock was a fake and the people receiving the shock were actors.
An astounding high percentage of people actually administered shocks that would have killed the people, just because they were ordered to.
However the follow up research shows the people do not follow submissively orders but the real power that drives people to do something is if they get involved in the reasons behind those orders. In other words, if they believe in what is behind those orders. That’s the difference between leadership and control.
As the article puts it ” ‘we enact an authority figure’s wishes only when we identify with that person and his or her goals” (Scientific American Mind, article ” The culture of shock”. January 2012 issue).
I felt this was somehow on the same wavelenght of the message in the video.
Thank you for your inspiring readings, have a great day!
Silvia
Great Silvia – thank you – I will check that one out. I guess the point is that for good or ill, people are influenced by that sense of alignment.
Exceptional Presentation which has me to think from WHAT I DO TO WHY I DO MODE.
GREAT CONTRIBUTION …
V S KUMAR
LIFE COACH
Very interesting, a complete reversal of thought….this is a very timely thing to hear for me. ” if we don’t change gears” big or small the right thing will always be the right thing. Its only a ‘total” win if everybody wins.
Thank-you 6 seconds
Hi Jim – it’s a big challenge to find a path where everyone wins… but it’s also easy if we each take responsibility for our little piece of it!
Excellent, and so very simple to understand. People respond to somethong or someone who ‘feels’ warm to them, and the “what” of logic is kind of cold.
I’m about to update my resumé, I’m going to explore this concept in my ‘elevator pitch’ bit – should be fun.
very inspiring!~