Never Compromise Your "Why"

Eric Liddell of Scotland won the Gold Medal in the 400 meters in the 1924 Olympics at Paris, France. But, he never set out to run the 400 there. He arrived representing Great Britain as the best 100 meter sprinter in the world and was expected to achieve gold medal status in it. Shockingly, he refused to compromise his spiritual beliefs and run the 100 meter qualifier on a Sunday. His Christian conviction was to stand down on the Sabbath. His Christian conviction can be summed up from an epic line in the movie, Chariots of Fire. He says to his sister, "God made me fast, and when I run, I feel his pleasure." This was his "Why." Business guru and consultant, Simon Sinek, who made famous the Golden Circle says: we know our 1) what to do, 2) and how to do it, but those who are dialed into their 3) "why," essentially are the most successful. The best companies and leaders know this. So did Eric, who, despite being the underdog in the 400 refused to compromise his "why", and won it. Never compromise your "why."