I recently came across this Ted Talk from a few years back by Simon Sinek on how great leaders have inspired action. I found it to be an interesting look as to why certain people tend to out-achieve, and out-innovate others.
Simon breaks down this process into what he calls the golden rule of: Why, How, and What -- In that order -- always beginning with the Why. Give it a watch. 18min. You won't regret it.
Coincidentally, I came across these notes earlier this week by Luke Wroblewski from the most recent An Event Apart session on Design Principles, presented by Jeremy Keith.
View Notes on An Event Apart: Design Principles
Sounded like a great session. Wish I could have been there. Lucky for us, LukeW is known for taking great notes. From these notes, I noticed the same pattern of "why", "how", and "what" in regards to design.
Keith outlines goals as the "why", principles as the "how", and patterns as the "what".
Design principles are the tenets for a project. They answer the "how"–how are we going to solve this problem? Design principles are especially useful when people might debate or disagree. They help a group determine how to solve problems.
Before you can have design principles, you need design goals to figure what you are doing. Design goals answer the "why" –why are we doing this? Design principles are how you reach that goal.
Design patterns define “what” are we going to do in order to achieve our goals? They evolve out of our work. Design patterns are individual atomic units that determine how we solve problems.
Goals lead down to principles. Principles lead down to patterns.
Always encouraging to know there's a method to our madness. More great nuggets in Luke's notes from the session. Go give them a read.
Thank you for sharing that TED talk! Simon just blew my mind. He is absolutely correct about the way the brain comprehends and in what order. It's so simple and so obviously true. It reminds me of Colin Powells first rule of being a good leader. "Have a clear sense of purpose."