Prominent TED Talks speaker visits D-M

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cheyenne A. Powers
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Simon Sinek visited to speak with Airmen and base leadership here May 2.

Sinek is the author of several books which focus on the way leaders and followers in organizations think act and operate.

He has met with leaders and organizations to include the United Nations, United States Congress and senior leaders of the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Army and Coast Guard.

While visiting Davis-Monthan AFB, Sinek met with the base’s senior leaders, agency chiefs, first sergeants, and also hosted an all-call. At each session Sinek spoke about various topics such as leadership skills, the importance of a healthy work environment, the difference between infinite and finite goals and how to find ways for individuals to be inspired to work and know they are making a difference.

“Leadership is about making people feel that you have their career and their interests in mind,” Sinek said. “We can get disciplined at work, we can even get yelled at. It doesn’t mean our boss is toxic. It doesn’t mean we should quit if we feel that it’s being done for us to grow, learn and improve.”

Between Sinek’s speaking engagements, he was given the opportunity to fly in the A-10 Thunderbolt II simulator, tour the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group and get up close to an A-10, HH-60G Pavehawk and an EC-130H Compass Call.

Sinek is fascinated by the people and organizations that make a lasting impact on the world. He has devoted his life to sharing his thinking and leading a movement to inspire people to do the things that inspire them.

“A life worth living is a life where others feel that we contributed to them," Sinek said. "A life worth living is offering people something to fight for that they believe in, and that they'd sacrifice for."