Leaders Eat Last

Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't

By: Simon Sinek

Narrated by: Simon Sinek

Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

The New York Times best seller by the acclaimed, best-selling author of Start With Why and Together Is Better. Now with an expanded chapter and appendix on leading millennials, based on Simon Sinek's viral video "Millenials in the Workplace" (150+ million views).

Imagine a world where almost everyone wakes up inspired to go to work, feels trusted and valued during the day, then returns home feeling fulfilled. This is not a crazy, idealized notion. Today, in many successful organizations, great leaders create environments in which people naturally work together to do remarkable things.

In his work with organizations around the world, Simon Sinek noticed that some teams trust each other so deeply that they would literally put their lives on the line for each other. Other teams, no matter what incentives are offered, are doomed to infighting, fragmentation, and failure. Why?

The answer became clear during a conversation with a Marine Corps general. "Officers eat last," he said. Sinek watched as the most junior Marines ate first while the most senior Marines took their place at the back of the line. What's symbolic in the chow hall is deadly serious on the battlefield: Great leaders sacrifice their own comfort - even their own survival - for the good of those in their care.

Too many workplaces are driven by cynicism, paranoia, and self-interest. But the best ones foster trust and cooperation because their leaders build what Sinek calls a "Circle of Safety" that separates the security inside the team from the challenges outside.

Sinek illustrates his ideas with fascinating true stories that range from the military to big business, from government to investment banking.

©2014 Simon Sinek (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Very Disappointed

I struggled to finish listening. It consisted mainly of stories about executives and their doings. Very little in the way of "front line" leaders. The last few hours was belittling millennials with strong implications of "the good times are over" beliefs.

This is the second book I've listened to by the author and was just as disappointed as the first "Find Your Why".

I recommend sticking with the classic "How to Win Friends and Influence People". That book is a Porsche, where as "Leaders Eat Last" is a bicycle with a flat tire.

Little bit myopic and lots of cognitive dissonance

Author pushes his justification of culture on single events in history that just simply are non-sensible.

“America lost its work culture when Regan laid off all air traffic controllers”. There is no deeper thought or look into the reason for lay-offs.... there are about 20 of these examples.

Try Another Read!

I went into this book with high expectations but felt like it failed to deliver a solid case! Most of the book talked about Neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin and never really established why having that knowledge is so important other than to fill in over half the book!
I'm all for trying new reads, especially on Leadership but this one was disappointing

Should be a required read for Supervisors

I absolutely love it! I love the history, the anthropology and psychology. I love the advice in the appendix. I highly recommend this book.

What an outstanding book!

I loved this book, this performance and I cannot read and listen to enough of Sinek's books and info, please listen and suggest to someone else, the revision on Millennials was also very helpful and informative for a person such as myself in a guest-services leadership role, Thank You Simon!!

Will definitely read again!

absolutely fantastic! Simon sinek once again has not disappointed and will be back to read more from him

Great overview, maybe a bit long in the tooth.

Loved the complete overview style of the book. The only issue I ran into was the dopamine heavy final act, a bit long in the tooth but helpful.

Great read for any one planning to advance

This is a great read for anyone playing on advancing in their career. It really opens your eyes to how others think rather than seeing things through the filter of your own life.

Great book even for obesity

This is such a great book and so practical. If corporations used these theories, it could solve so many problems around the world. As a fitness enthusiast, I recommended this book to all in those in my diet group. The hormones discussed in the book, serotonin, oxytocin, dopamine and etc. play such a vital role in nutrition. The book made me realize that if I could get the group to understand WHY they crave processed foods and the positive chemical reactions that will happen if you simply employ a little discipline, they would stick to their eating plans much better.

Mixed bad of powerful and uninteresting

Great ending, but a lot too much talk about chemical driven desires for me personally. The last 15 minutes was awesome and lufw coaching.