BBF107: Harness the Power of Why with Peter Docker

This week’s guest has certainly lived a bit, and what a privilege it was to hear his sharp philosophical insight into the importance of ‘why’ in business. Peter Docker has been all over the world as a pilot for the RAF (he even used to fly the UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher), not to mention work as a crisis manager and an international negotiator for the UK government.

All of this experience has helped him become a highly respected motivational speaker, and as you’ll hear from his discussion with Ben, he’s an absolute master at helping people understand the ‘why’ in business. Read on for some of the highlights of the discussion:

** If you have any aspiration of being a successful business in the long term, you have to know your ‘why’. When you get this clear, it’s amazing how much easier it is for people to connect with your business.

** When we make decisions that just ‘feel right’, the chances are is that we’re feeling the ‘why’.

** A ‘why’ should be strong enough to compel your customers to put it into their own words.

** A ‘why’ doesn’t have to be big and grand – it just has to be authentic. This is how you build trust and loyalty.

** Your ‘why’ shouldn’t just come out of thin air. It should be a culmination of your past and what drives you.

** A ‘why’ is vital to get you through tough times. Without it, where is the incentive to get out of bed and solve problems?

  In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** Which part of the brain processes the ‘why’.

** What a ‘why discovery’ can do.

** The difference between ‘visions’ and ‘missions’.

** Where ‘how’ comes into it.

** How to come up with your ‘why’.

** How physical symbols and statements can help reinforce your ‘why’.

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

** Free, complimentary business assessment from Ben: http://www.businessassessment.com.au

** Elon Musk’s launch of model 3 of the Tesla, discussing his ‘why’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HOhOeKwe30

** Simon Sinek’s ‘Why’ programme: com

** Peter & Simon’s 2017 tour of Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland: Book here

** Ben’s Daily Business Tips: http://www.dbtpodcast.com

** Facebook: facebook.com/businessbrainfood

** Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood

** Twitter: https://twitter.com/bfewtrell

** ActionCOACH: http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes

** ActionCOACH: http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher

It’s all very well concentrating on the detail of your everyday business, but if you don’t understand why you’re doing business in the first place, you’ve got almost no chance of success. Listen to Peter! Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell [phone]