You know, when Simon Sinek says “For values or guiding principles to be truly effective, they have to be verbs,” he’s hitting on a massive truth. It’s not about fancy posters on the wall; it’s about turning abstract ideas into daily actions. This is the secret sauce for making your company’s culture actually stick.
Share Image Quote:Table of Contents
Meaning
Stop thinking of values as nouns you *are*, and start thinking of them as verbs you *do*.
Explanation
Let me break it down for you. I’ve seen this so many times in my work. A company lists “Integrity” or “Innovation” on their website. They’re just… words. They’re passive. They’re nouns. They sit there. But what does “Integrity” *look like* in a meeting? What does “Innovation” *sound like* in a brainstorming session? You have to verb-it. Instead of “Innovation,” the value becomes “Challenge the Status Quo.” See the difference? One is a thing you claim to have, the other is a thing you actively do. It’s a filter for every decision, big and small. It moves your culture from a poster to a practice.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Business (233) |
| Topics | action (112), values (51) |
| Literary Style | didactic (370), structured (37) |
| Emotion / Mood | motivating (311), realistic (354) |
| Overall Quote Score | 77 (179) |
Origin & Factcheck
This gem comes straight from Simon Sinek’s 2009 book, “Start with Why,” which really took off in the US and globally. It’s a core part of his “Golden Circle” philosophy. You sometimes see the idea paraphrased, but the “have to be verbs” formulation is authentically his.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Simon Sinek (207) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action (54) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Simon Sinek champions a leadership philosophy rooted in purpose, trust, and service. He started in advertising, then founded Sinek Partners and gained global attention with his TED Talk on the Golden Circle. He advises companies and the military, writes bestselling books, and hosts the podcast “A Bit of Optimism.” The Simon Sinek book list features Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together Is Better, Find Your Why, and The Infinite Game. He speaks worldwide about building strong cultures, empowering people, and leading for the long term.
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram | YouTube
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | For values or guiding principles to be truly effective, they have to be verbs |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2009; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-1591842804; Last edition: Portfolio/Penguin 2011; Number of pages: 256 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 5: Clarity, Discipline, and Consistency, Approximate page from 2011 edition |