Bookworm: Leaders Eat Last

Simon Sinek makes the argument for empathetic, human leadership.

What’s this book about?

Simon Sinek, an author and inspirational speaker, shares his the leadership insights gleaned from in-depth research with leaders from a mix of sectors, including business and the US military.

From this, he concluded that the best leaders seem to care more about other people than they care about themselves. He believes that hierarchy is natural in communities and intrinsic to good leadership but he also points out that it can be a very positive step to do away with this structure and take a more personal responsibility for the individual members of our team.

Empathy’s a plus, then?

Yes, empathy is extremely important in a good leader because our employees will benefit enormously from it. Turning that on its head, Sinek cites the Titanic as an example of (extremely) poor leadership, given that those in charge decided to cut costs by not putting enough lifeboats on board.

Sinek’s point is that bad leadership and the drive for profit dehumanises people. The two are incompatible. If we feel as though we’re part of a group – and if our leaders feel as though they are part of this group – everyone will act collectively.

Why have leaders rather than flat hierarchies?

Sinek argues that we derive safety and security from leaders. He goes back to our evolutionary origins and explains that our hormones – which impact individuals differently – helped to create the hierarchies within groups comprising some who would become the leaders of the pack, and some who were more likely to be led.

Trust is important as well, isn’t it?

Very. Sinek argues that nothing is more important than the integrity of a company’s leadership, and the trust that their employees put in it. When employees are able to bond with their peers and their managers because of a shared sense of trust, everyone wins.

What does Sinek mean when he says that "leaders eat last"?

Leaders serve their people, not the other way round. A great leader doesn't put themself above the people who work or voted for them. In the Marine Corps, the leaders  eat after everyone else. They can only truly call themselves leaders if they have put the needs of their team above and before their own.

What practical leadership lessons can I take from this?

We should empathise with people and treat those who can do nothing for us with as much respect and grace as we treat the most powerful people. We should also, work collaboratively, in the knowledge that we can always achieve more as a team, and remember that people are humans, not machines. 

What am I most likely to say after reading this book?

“Empathy is an important leadership trait.”

What am I least likely to say after reading this book?

“Let them eat cake.”