Finding Your Why

Tom

Hi Everyone, and welcome to the third episode in our Guide to Job Searching series and this one is all about "Finding your Why".. once again I'm joined by Emily.

Emily

Hi everyone

Tom

So let’s kick off today with someone who has completely changed my own personal approach to work and planning a career and that's Simon Sinek - and his game-changing concept—the Golden Circle. It’s a framework made up of three basic layers: What, How, and Why. Most of us know what we do—it’s your job title, your tasks. - And how we do it? That’s your process, your personal style, guiding your decisions. But here’s the kicker—

Tom

Very few people know their Why. And that’s the most critical part. It’s the purpose, the belief that drives you, the thing that most aligns with your core values, - the thing that makes what you do feel like more than just, a job.

Emily

It’s a simple idea, but it changes everything. Simon Sinek actually says, "People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it." And honestly, I think that applies to so much more than just business. It’s about how you connect with people and yourself.

Tom

Exactly. If you’re out there job searching, knowing your Why can make the entire process a lot more intentional. You’re not just firing off CVs randomly—you’re aligning yourself with roles that actually matter and hopefully have some sort of value to you.

Emily

Yeah, and I think that’s where it gets exciting. When I first discovered my own Why,

Emily

which for me is helping people find meaningful roles and, I guess, really grow—it completely shifted the way I approached training. Like, all of a sudden, I wasn’t just teaching skills or, you know, ticking boxes. I was guiding people toward something fulfilling for them. And that felt so much more rewarding.

Tom

It’s a powerful shift, isn’t it? And Simon Sinek’s story is a great example of that. His Why? Inspiring others to do what inspires them so we can change the world together. That’s his North Star, if you like, and it’s influenced everything he’s done since.

Emily

And it’s so practical too. When you’re clear on your Why, it’s like, decisions just start to make sense. You’re not as stuck or conflicted about your next steps because you’re guided by purpose. That changes how you show up—not just at work but in life.

Tom

Right, and it’s empowering. Once you get clear on your Why, everything else starts to align naturally. It helps you find meaning in what you do.

Emily

Exactly, and that clarity leads us to the next step—You, Finding your personal Why? .. It really begins with reflection, thinking deeply about those moments in your life that felt meaningful. And I’m not just talking about the big wins, but also the challenges the experiences that truly shaped you, and fulfilled you and gave you a sense of satisfaction and purpose

Tom

For sure. It’s those pivotal experiences where you felt like, you know, you were doing something that just clicked. And often, it’s not what you expected. You start to see patterns, themes about what truly matters to you.

Emily

Yeah, like, what are you contributing to the world? What keeps showing up? For example, if you’re always drawn to helping people solve problems, maybe your Why is about empowering others to, I don’t know, overcome obstacles.

Tom

Right, and here’s where Simon’s simple formula comes in handy. " I help to (That's your contribution)" "by, ( that's the How)" " so they can ( that's the Why)". And it needs to feel personal, emotional, and actionable. Here's an example... " I help students..., discover their strengths...., so they can grow with confidence" - Now here's another..

Tom

I once worked with someone, a marketing professional, who felt completely stuck. But when we dug into her story, she realized that, for her, the most fulfilling moments in her career were always about storytelling. Helping businesses tell stories that connected people emotionally. Her Why, ended up being ‘To tell stories that bring people together so that they feel a sense of belonging.’

Emily

Excellent and it’s funny—sometimes your Why, can be sitting right there in plain sight, but until you put it into words, it’s just this unspoken feeling.

Tom

Exactly. And once she had that clarity, you could see the shift. She started looking for roles with organizations that prioritized connection and purpose over just numbers. Suddenly, her job search wasn’t about what would pay the most—it was about where she could make an impact. It just clicked for her.

Emily

And that’s the kind of breakthrough we’re talking about. It’s finding clarity and then matching it with action. Plus, it’s not only individuals—companies can do this too, but we’ll get to that shortly.

Tom

Right, because living your Why isn’t just introspection, it’s how you put it into practice every day, like in your career and even in leadership. But I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

Tom

So once you start living by your Why, it’s not just about personal clarity—it’s about transformation, both for you and the world you interact with. Companies can do this too. Take Apple, for example. Their Why has always been about challenging the status quo and thinking differently. That purpose drives everything they do—every product they create, every ad campaign, and even how they connect with their customers.

Emily

yes, and because they’re so clear on their Why, people connect with them beyond just the devices. It’s not just "Here’s a phone" or "Here’s a laptop"—it’s about belonging to this idea of innovation and creativity. You feel part of something bigger.

Tom

And it works the same way on a personal level. Say you’re leading a team—if you’re clear about your Why, your purpose, your team feels it too. It builds trust and authenticity. People want to follow leaders who are aligned with their values.

Emily

It also impacts relationships in the workplace. When you’re showing up with purpose and clarity, it’s not just about the tasks anymore—it’s about connection, collaboration, and meaning. And those things make work, well, just more fulfilling.

Tom

But let’s address a big question here—how do you know if you’ve found your Why? - Well, If it feels true, emotional, and actionable—like it just clicks—then you’re on the right track. It’s not something you force; it’s something you uncover.

Emily

Right, and another question I often get is, "What if my Why changes?" well, that’s okay. Our lives evolve, so it makes sense that our Why might shift too. I actually worked with a client a while back who went through this exact thing. She had taken a career break to raise her family, and when she came back to work, her Why shifted completely.

Tom

Oh, that’s interesting.,.How so

Emily

Well, before the break, it was all about climbing the corporate ladder, you know, success and ambition. But after taking time off, she realized her Why was more about empowering others, especially women, to find confidence in their work. It completely redefined how she approached her career—and honestly, she’s never been happier or more fulfilled.

Tom

See, that’s the beauty of living your Why. It’s not static—it grows with you. And it’s not just about work or career; it’s about how you align all the choices you make. Whether it’s the people you surround yourself with or the kind of legacy you wanna leave behind.

Emily

Exactly. And it’s worth mentioning that companies, like individuals, benefit massively when they align with their Why. It shapes their culture. It’s the difference between a place where people just show up for a paycheck and a place where they actually want to contribute to something meaningful.

Tom

So, whether you’re figuring out your own Why or trying to guide your organisation, the takeaway is this: when decisions are led by purpose, everything starts to connect. Relationships, motivation, authenticity—it all falls into place.

Emily

And on that note, if you’ve been feeling stuck or uncertain, maybe this is your sign to take a step back and ask yourself: What’s my Why? It’s already in you. You just have to uncover it.

Tom

And that’s all for today.., We hope you’ve found something valuable to take away. And maybe, just maybe, you’re a little closer to finding your Why. Also, there's a lot of resources out there to help you. Just go to YouTube and search Simon Sinek, Find your Why or maybe track down some of his books

Emily

Thanks so much for listening. We’d love to hear your stories—what’s your Why? Drop us a message or share it online. And if you know someone who needs a little inspiration, go ahead and share this episode with them.

Tom

Until next time, keep asking yourself: not just what you do, but why you do it. Take care.