7/3: The Golden Circle

We spent some time last week looking at advertisements and the ways in which they influence us. In watching and reading ads and thinking about the intention behind them, it became clear that companies often market lifestyles, philosophies, and aspirations more than their actual products. The commercials that typically have the most influence over us are the ones that appeal to our emotions and logical minds, the ones that leave us with a feeling instead of just the name of a new product or service. Simon Sinek's TED talk on innovation and success in business tells us why: companies that market the "why" of who they are are inherently more successful than those who market the "what" of their business. We, as consumers, want to know what a companies stand for so that we can subscribe to those that align with our beliefs. A few examples come to mind:

This famous Budweiser commercial from the Super Bowl in 2013.

Nike's commercial promoting the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Skittles colorless candy campaign in support of pride month. 

And this L'Oreal ad taking a stand against gender discrimination in the workplace:

Sinek's golden circle is equally important in education as it is in business. If we know the "why" of our roles in education, we are more likely to inspire and lead. We talk a lot about student buy-in; students don't mechanically engage with our classrooms because we tell them to or because society says all children must go to school and learn. Rather, students buy into classrooms whose teachers care about their well-being and success. We know community-building is important; the beginning of the school year sets a tone for a reason. If students know the "why" of why we're in those spaces with them, they're a lot more likely to subscribe to our "product." Our students, as consumers, will engage with our "what" because they believe in our "why." 

We've spent some time in this course reflecting on our personal pedagogies and goals for our classrooms. In the same way understanding by design teaches us to backwards plan our units and lessons, we need to backwards plan our teaching philosophies. Why do we teach? The "how" and "what" come later.