Be There For Your Friends

What does true friendship mean to you?
Simon shares key insights he's learned about friendship and what it means to really be there for someone.

Recorded at @SummitSessions at Sea in conversation with Molly Bloom, May 2023

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Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together.

Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do.

Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game.

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Simon’s books:

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#SimonSinek

[starlight]

It’s disheartening that this video doesn’t have more likes.

[nursenick]

Not me sitting here in the Admiral’s Club in Dallas choking back sobs as I realized that you posted this the day after a sweet friend of mine took her own life. It was a wake up call to me personally to make it a point to check on my friends - especially if I know their conditions aren’t ideal for the moment (or long term). Any one of us who cared about her would have came to “sit in the mud” with her. She was one that would drop everything to help you out, and we didn’t get the chance to do that for her. I hope that more of us will make it a point to “sit in the mud” with the ones we care about, and even more importantly, not hesitate to say the words “I love you” and make sure they understand that. Thanks for sharing this.

[adrianmiles]

Having friends who are comfortable enough to sit in the discomfort is rare as it requires them to have been brave enough to sit in their own discomfort long enough to not shy away from it. Don’t be like Simon and guilt ur friends into it, tell them you will get in the mud with them, all they have to do is call

[cindymcc]

I tell this to my friends and family now…you’re not allowed to go through mud without me.
Thanks Simon

[kinddude]

Brené has a beautiful video on empathy that relates to sitting in the mud with someone and just being with them.

[kanishaaGupta]

God willingly to find just one or two people who you call home is like you are someone who is extremely and profoundly blessed ❤

[arvinpack]

Simon you are the best, i have always appreciated your videos…. Awesome.
Tnx for sharing new level of optimism

[carascreatives]

Goodness gracious I love you so much! Ty for all you do!

[vanessamapel]

Simon is so raw and I love to see men express their feelings in truth. I might try this

[Bodyknowledge]

It's the question related to "getting in the mud" with a friend of how dirty and for how long do you want to be dirty? Empathy is a difficult emotional task for many and one needs to be lucky to get some or any (let alone a lot of it) from others.

[Mortenius]

I'm super skeptical about people saying things like that, because my own mother told me not to say how I feel because it's annoying, my friend don't even invite me to board game night, and I have to make my own birthday party if I want st least the possibility of someone showing up. So yes, I doubt people can care that much.

But is nice to hear that on an impersonal video in a motivational talk.

[ftMan]

If Simon were my go-to bud I'd hit him with "You're a freaking, famous author, how can you understand my miserable life as a gym coach?"

[OlgaSuner-dxfq]

This reminded me of my grandpa’s funeral when someone dies they place the coffin in the middle of a living room, I know it’s graphic description but in our countries it’s the norm. The entire town gathers to pay good byes and for the first time ever I saw how all were crying together. Togetherness helped ease the pain and by doing so they were sharing and spreading the pain. In western countries the difference is you remember the good times of a deceased person and spread laughs and smiles by remembering that person.

[zachbailey]

Wondering if I haven't wanted to be there for my friends lately because of them or me. Or both? Either way, Sinek is fascinating to watch.

[firenzeong]

I feel how you feel. I am exactly in this position that I wanted to be with my best friend who is going through hardship right now.

[brain_respect_and_freedom]

It's difficult, when people believe "to be strong" = "don't cry".

[keata]

This is the opposite of toxic masculinity

[tonsoryan]

It’s a luxury for someone to even see you are in the mud.

[ImWORTHITINC]

I AGREE! I HATE "i didnt wanna bother you" WHATS THE TRUTH? WHY DID THEY NOT CALL? INSECURITY!!! FEAR! THEY DONT TRUST ME?? THEY ARE BEING AN A_HOLE AND DENYING US WHAT WANT !=SHOW THEM LOVE BY SITTING IN THAT MUD WITH THEM~! TYSM SImon!!! XOOX

[mariagabriela_bia]

What to do if you don’t feel you have this level of friends these days? When everyone around you doesn’t seem to care?