Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek: How Great Leaders Build Trust, Inspire Teams & Shape Culture

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In this powerful episode of The Business Bookmark, hosts Howard Montagu and Harjit Chana unpack Simon Sinek’s bestselling book Leaders Eat Last—a must-read for anyone in leadership, management, or aspiring to inspire.

Discover how the best leaders create psychological safety, foster a circle of trust, and build thriving cultures by putting people first. From the US Marine Corps to Google’s Project Aristotle, and crisis leadership in the Tylenol recall, this episode is packed with real-world case studies, biological insights, and practical strategies to lead with empathy and impact.

Whether you’re leading a team, growing a business, or navigating change, this episode will equip you with the tools to prioritize people over profits and achieve sustainable success.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The true meaning of leadership and why safety and trust are core to performanceHow to build a resilient circle of safety within your organizationWhy the metrics trap and short-termism can destroy long-term successThe biological impact of leadership – understanding dopamine, cortisol, and oxytocinHow companies like Barry-Wehmiller and Tylenol embody values-led leadershipThe dark side of leadership through the lens of Goldman Sachs’ Abacus scandalActionable ideas to create a people-first culture that thrives in the modern workplace

🕒 Episode Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: What Makes Teams Succeed?

00:59 – Simon Sinek’s Core Message Explained

01:46 – Building the “Circle of Trust”

02:08 – The Buffalo Fable: Culture in Action

04:03 – What Happens When Workplaces Feel Unsafe

06:48 – Leadership and Human Biology

09:43 – The Rise of Cortisol-Driven Cultures

10:35 – Goldman Sachs and the Ethics of Profit

13:26 – Building Sustainable Leadership with Trust

19:02 – Why Autonomy & Empowerment Matter

22:11 – Peer Recognition: A Simple, Powerful Tool

22:29 – Barry-Wehmiller’s Cultural Turnaround

24:19 – The Metrics Trap: When Numbers Mislead

24:33 – Jack Welch and the Cost of Shareholder Primacy

32:00 – Tylenol Crisis: Values in Action

33:49 – Crisis Leadership Done Right

34:11 – Why Trust Is the Ultimate Leadership Tool

38:50 – Strengths & Gaps in Leaders Eat Last

41:35 – Final Reflections & Practical Takeaways

Want to lead with confidence, scale your business, and drive impact—without reading dozens of leadership books?

The Business Bookmark is your shortcut to business and leadership mastery. Join hosts Howard Montagu and Harjit Chana as they break down powerful insights from the world’s top business and leadership books—then show you exactly how to apply them.

This isn’t just another summary podcast. We bring each book to life with real-world experiences, data-driven strategies, and actionable advice you can use immediately—whether you’re a CEO, startup founder, corporate manager, solopreneur, or aspiring leader.

🎯 Learn how to:

Motivate and manage high-performing teamsMake better strategic decisionsBuild a culture of accountability and innovationLead in complex, fast-changing environments

Turn your commute, coffee break, or workout into a business masterclass.

Subscribe now and join thousands of business leaders growing with every episode.

• No. of episodes: 10
• Latest episode: 2025-06-02
• Business Entrepreneurship Management

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