Hospitality's Golden Circle: Why, How, And What

what is the golden circle in hospitality

Leadership expert Simon Sinek is known for his Golden Circle theory, which revolves around three concentric circles that represent the Why, How, and What of a business. The Why is the core belief of this concept and represents the purpose or belief that drives an individual or organization. The How refers to the processes, values, and strategies that bring that belief to life, while the What refers to the tangible products or services that result. Sinek's model can be applied to the hospitality industry to improve performance and create emotional connections with customers. For example, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts have implemented a successful loyalty program called Circle with multiple tiers and benefits, which may be based on Sinek's Golden Circle theory.

Characteristics Values
Core belief of the concept Purpose, cause or belief
Reason for existence Not just to make money
Driving force Inspiring loyalty in customers and employees
Guide Leaders and organisations to inspire action
Tangible outcomes Values and actions
Focus How a business can stand out from competitors
Communication Differences
Emotional connection Customers and memory at their time of selection
Action plan Strategy to achieve results

shunhospital

The Golden Circle is a framework for leaders to inspire cooperation, trust and change

The Golden Circle is a powerful framework for leaders aiming to inspire cooperation, trust, and change. Conceived by leadership expert Simon Sinek, it revolves around three concentric circles that represent the "Why," "How," and "What" of a business or individual.

The "Why" is at the heart of the Golden Circle and is the most integral element. It represents the core purpose or belief that drives an individual or organization. It is not about making a profit but rather the reason why a company exists and its driving force for inspiring loyalty in customers and employees. For instance, Apple's "Why" is not just about selling computers or phones but challenging the status quo and encouraging creativity. Communicating this "Why" effectively helps create an emotional connection with customers and employees, which is essential for building loyalty and inspiring action.

The "How" circle surrounds the "Why" and represents the processes, values, and strategies that bring the core belief to life. It defines the organization's strengths, values, and unique approach, differentiating it from competitors. Communicating the "How" is also powerful as it reaches the part of the brain that governs behavior and emotion, influencing decision-making.

The "What" is the outermost circle and refers to the tangible products or services resulting from the "Why" and "How." While Sinek notes that "What" messaging engages the rational part of the brain, he emphasizes that successful organizations focus on communicating their "Why" and "How," as these tap into the emotional and behavioral drivers of decision-making.

The Golden Circle methodology is a valuable tool for businesses in the tourism and hospitality industries, helping them to stand out in a competitive market. By clearly defining and communicating their "Why," companies can create genuine connections with their customers and be memorable when it matters most - at the moment of selection. This approach also ensures a positive impact on employees, customers, and society, fostering cooperation, trust, and the ability to embrace change.

shunhospital

It revolves around 'Why', 'How' and 'What'

Simon Sinek's Golden Circle is a powerful framework for any leadership style. It revolves around "Why," "How," and "What," represented by three concentric circles.

The "Why" is at the heart of the concept. It embodies the core purpose or belief that motivates an individual or organisation. It is not about making a profit but rather the underlying reason for a company's existence. This "Why" inspires loyalty in customers and employees alike. For instance, Apple's "Why" is not just about selling computers or phones but challenging the status quo and fostering creativity. Communicating this "Why" effectively helps establish an emotional connection with customers and ensures the brand is top of mind during their selection process.

The "How" surrounds the "Why" and represents the processes, values, and strategies that bring the core belief to life. It defines the organisation's strengths and the actions it will take to achieve its desired results. For instance, a hospitality brand might ask how it will highlight its accommodation in the market or what differentiates its restaurant space. Communicating the "How" is also essential, as it reaches the limbic brain, which governs behaviour and emotion.

The "What" is the outermost circle, encompassing the "Why" and "How." It refers to the tangible products or services that result from the inner circles. While "What" messaging engages the rational part of the brain, it is less influential in decision-making than the emotional and behavioural impact of "Why" and "How."

By following the Golden Circle methodology, companies in the hospitality industry can differentiate themselves in the market, creating a genuine connection with their customers and a positive impact on their employees and society.

shunhospital

The 'Why' is the core belief of the concept

Simon Sinek's Golden Circle theory revolves around three concentric circles that represent the "Why," "How," and "What" of a business. The "Why" is at the very center of this model and represents the core belief of the concept. It is the purpose, cause, or belief that drives an individual or organization. According to Sinek, the "Why" is not about making a profit but rather about the reason a company exists and what it believes in. This could be about challenging the status quo and encouraging creativity, as in the example of Apple.

The "Why" is considered the most integral element of the Golden Circle by many. It is the driving force behind inspiring loyalty in customers and employees alike. When a company can define its "Why" and communicate it consistently, it creates an emotional connection with its customers. This emotional connection is what makes the company memorable when it comes to the moment of selection. For instance, people buy Apple products because they believe in the company's vision, not just because the products are superior.

Sinek's theory is that communicating the "Why" taps into the part of the listener's brain that influences behavior. This is why the Golden Circle model is seen as an influential theory of leadership. It helps leaders inspire cooperation, trust, and change in a business. By starting with "Why," leaders can build stronger connections and achieve success.

The "Why" is also essential for a company to define its value proposition and differentiate itself from competitors. It is the basis for the company's strategy and action plan, which are represented by the "How" circle. The "How" encompasses the processes, values, and strategies that bring the "Why" to life. It is through the "How" that a company can highlight its accommodation in the market and define its unique selling points.

shunhospital

The 'How' refers to processes, values and strategies

Simon Sinek's Golden Circle theory is a powerful tool for businesses, especially in the tourism and hospitality industries, to improve their performance and stand out from their competitors. The Golden Circle comprises three concentric circles: "Why," "How," and "What," with ""Why" at the centre.

The "How" refers to the processes, values, and strategies that bring an organisation's core beliefs to life. It is the action plan and strategy that will help achieve the desired results. For instance, in the hospitality industry, this could include questions such as: "How will I highlight my accommodation in the market?" or "What differentiates my restaurant space from the rest?"

The "How" is about defining the unique strengths and values that differentiate a hospitality business from its competitors. It involves communicating these strengths and values to potential customers, tapping into the part of the brain that influences behaviour and decision-making. This means focusing on the emotional connection with customers, rather than simply the products or services offered.

For example, a hotel chain may have a "Why" centred around providing luxurious experiences and creating memorable moments for guests. The "How" would then involve the processes and strategies to bring this to life, such as investing in high-quality amenities, offering personalised services, and ensuring attention to detail to exceed guest expectations.

Additionally, the "How" may also involve the strategies and actions taken to ensure a consistent and authentic brand image. This includes aligning sales, marketing, and revenue efforts, as well as communicating the brand's unique value proposition to potential customers effectively.

In summary, the "How" in the Golden Circle refers to the practical steps, values, and strategies that bring a hospitality organisation's purpose and beliefs to fruition, ultimately contributing to its success and differentiation in the market.

shunhospital

The 'What' refers to tangible products or services

Simon Sinek's Golden Circle theory is a powerful framework for any leadership style, and it revolves around three concentric circles: "Why," "How," and "What." The "What" refers to the outermost circle and represents the tangible products or services that result from the "Why" and "How" circles.

The "What" is the outcome of the processes set in motion by understanding the "Why" and "How." It is the physical representation of a company's purpose, beliefs, values, and strategies. In the context of hospitality, the "What" can refer to the products or services offered by a hotel or restaurant. For example, a hotel's "What" may include comfortable accommodations, room service, a swimming pool, or a spa. Similarly, a restaurant's "What" may encompass the food, ambiance, and service it provides.

By clearly defining the "What," hospitality businesses can ensure that their offerings are aligned with their purpose and values. It allows them to create a unique selling proposition and stand out in a competitive market. For instance, a hotel chain may offer exclusive experiences and personalized recognition as part of its loyalty program, differentiating itself from competitors.

Furthermore, the "What" helps create an emotional connection with customers. It is the tangible manifestation of the company's "Why," the reason for its existence beyond profit-making. By communicating the "Why" effectively and delivering the "What," hospitality businesses can inspire loyalty and create memorable experiences for their customers.

Overall, the "What" in the Golden Circle theory is crucial for hospitality businesses as it represents the tangible outcomes of their efforts. It enables them to provide authentic and differentiated products or services, ensuring customer satisfaction and long-term success.

Frequently asked questions

The Golden Circle is a theory by leadership expert Simon Sinek that explains how leaders can inspire cooperation, trust and change in a business. It revolves around three concentric circles that represent the "Why," "How," and "What" of a business.

The "Why" is at the very centre of the Golden Circle and represents the core belief of this concept and the reason an organisation exists beyond profit-making. The "How" circle encompasses the former and represents the processes, values and strategies that bring that belief to life. The "What" is the outermost circle and refers to the tangible products or services that result from the first two circles.

The Golden Circle can be applied to hospitality by defining your "Why" (purpose), "How" (values and actions) and "What" (tangible outcomes). By communicating your "Why," you can create an emotional connection with your customers and inspire loyalty. This methodology allows hospitality companies to approach the market in a differential way, making them competitive and always ensuring a positive impact on employees, customers and society in general.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment