Hello, Hello, My Writing Friends!

Want to know my two favorite takeaways from interviewing Simon Sinek?

1. He wrote nearly all of Start With Why on airplanes. He was wracked with distractions, and figured out that plane flights were where he could actually write. So he started booking same-day, round-trip tickets from the East to the West Coast. And voila, a few months later, the book was done. Kinda wild story, eh?
2. He told his eventual publisher he wasn't writing a business or leadership book. Nope... despite selling millions of copies to leaders and executives, he doesn't see it as a business or leadership book. Start With Why is a book about belief.

And that's the funny thing about books that launch movements (something rare in nonfiction). They give people a story to join. Simon's book helped entrepreneurs, leaders, teachers, and creatives stop talking about what they do and start talking about why it matters.

When Simon joined our community for a Modern Author interview (which wound up being a nearly two-hour session even though we just booked fifteen minutes), we talked about how most writers get stuck trying to sound smart or credible. But real influence comes when you speak from a place of clarity and conviction.

His book works not because of data but because of design. The Golden Circle framework is simple, emotional, and universal. That’s why it became a TED Talk, a movement, and a go-to guide for modern leadership. You see this throughout Simon's writing, teaching, and viral social media talks.

In this edition of Write Like a Thought Leader, we break down Simon’s Inspired Belief Framework, a chapter structure that turns your mission into momentum.

🧠 Why The Inspired Belief Framework Works

Simon Sinek’s writing is deeply persuasive because it:

✅ Anchors every chapter in a belief, not a claim

✅ Uses clear, visual frameworks (like the Golden Circle)

✅ Blends historical storytelling, modern examples, and cultural critique

✅ Creates resonance, not just logic... it speaks to people’s identities

His books don’t teach from the top down. They start at the center. He doesn't tell you the answer; he tells you his belief... and he certainly offers stories, facts, research, and details to convince you (or inspire you) of those beliefs.

But it's you who chooses to believe too... so will you?

✅ When to Use This Framework

Best For:

• Founders, executives, and movement builders
• Coaches, authors, and consultants with a strong mission or purpose
• Anyone writing a manifesto, brand strategy book, or leadership book

Great Fit For:

• Books that aim to spark belief or identity shift
• Talks, investor pitches, or keynote chapters
• White papers or essays that rally a team, tribe, or movement

If you want to help or inspire your reader see themselves in something bigger... this framework works.

🔁 The Inspired Belief Framework: Simon Sinek’s Writing Structure

Simon Sinek builds belief by layering purpose, principle, and proof. His chapters typically follow 8–10 steps to lead readers inward... then outward.

1️⃣ Open With a Cultural Tension (400–600 words)

• Start with a story, moment, or example that highlights a broader tension.
• Could be a current event, data point, or everyday frustration.

💡 Why it works: This hooks the reader with relevance and curiosity.

2️⃣ Raise the Big Question (300–500 words)

• Ask a bold, clear question that reframes the issue.
• Example: “Why do some leaders inspire and others don’t?”

💡 Why it works: It invites reflection and emotional investment.

3️⃣ Share a Belief Statement or Principle (400–600 words)

• Introduce your core belief or philosophy.
• This becomes the “why” behind the chapter.

💡 Why it works: Sets the emotional tone. Anchors everything to purpose.

4️⃣ Introduce the Visual or Mental Framework (300–500 words)

• Example: Simon’s Golden Circle: Why → How → What.
• Keep it simple, sticky, and clear.

💡 Why it works: Helps readers visualize and categorize your insight.

5️⃣ Historical or Iconic Story (500–800 words)

• Tell a story of a brand, leader, or moment that proves the principle.
• Examples: Apple, MLK Jr., the Wright Brothers.

💡 Why it works: Makes the idea feel universal, real, and credible.

6️⃣ Business or Modern Application (400–700 words)

• Show how the belief plays out in today’s world.
• Use anecdotes, case studies, or current brands.

💡 Why it works: Bridges timeless principle to timely action.

7️⃣ Contrast With the “Wrong Way” (400–600 words)

• Illustrate what happens when people focus only on the “What” or “How.”
• Example: Comparing great and average companies.

💡 Why it works: Reinforces the importance of starting with why.

8️⃣ Return to the Belief (300–500 words)

• Restate the original belief in light of the stories and data.
• Emphasize how it changes what we see or do.

💡 Why it works: Closes the loop. Drives resonance and clarity.

9️⃣ Challenge the Reader’s Identity (300–500 words)

• Ask: Who are you when you lead with your why?
• Could include a reflection prompt or comparison.

💡 Why it works: Turns belief into behavior. Inspires action.

🔟 Close With a Shared Vision or Rally Cry (300–500 words)

• Paint a picture of what’s possible if more people adopted this belief.
• Make it feel like the reader is part of something larger.

💡 Why it works: Converts information into alignment—and mission.

ChatGPT Prompt: Inspired Belief (Simon Sinek Style)

“I’m writing a chapter using Simon Sinek’s Inspired Belief Framework. Please help me:

• Start with a story or moment of cultural tension
• Ask a compelling question to reframe the problem
• Share a belief or philosophy that anchors the idea
• Introduce a visual or mental framework to guide understanding
• Tell a story that proves the idea historically
• Show how it applies in today’s business or leadership world
• Contrast it with the ‘wrong way’ or outdated belief
• Reaffirm the core belief with new clarity
• Challenge the reader’s identity or invite reflection
• End with a rally cry or shared vision

Here’s my chapter: [Insert Your Content]”

Final Word for Modern Authors

Remember how earlier I told you about Simon's decision to start buying same-day, round-trip tickets to write his book? Can you imagine how surprised the flight attendants were to see him land in LA only to plug in his laptop to charge it, and then jump right back on the return flight?

But here's the thing... he did that because of his own Inspired Belief... a belief that if others could hear this, learn this, and apply this they too could live better lives.

This isn’t just a TED Talk. It’s a writing strategy. Funny enough, I actually took some of Simon's own approaches and began applying it in my coaching sessions with aspiring authors. I learned if I could help them be inspired enough that they too may do something wild (like spending all day on a plane to write), then we had something worth writing.

This may be a model for your book or you may find the Inspired Belief Framework helps you:

• Build belief with every chapter
• Create language people adopt
• Turn your mission into a movement

If you want to write books that spark buy-in—not just agreement—this is your framework.

​

What Next?

I got a lot of (mostly positive) feedback on my recent newsletter article , "How I AI." What surprised me most was a few people who reached out telling me they'd tried ChatGPT a few months (or longer) ago and could see how it may help with some things, but honestly weren't that impressed. One even said he couldn't figure out what he'd actually use it for beyond maybe helping him write a letter of recommendation or something.

After the fourth reply, I decided it might be worth providing a little more clarity on WHY I AI (channeling my Simon).

I wrote this back to each of them: "I think AI is okay when you're just pulling stuff out (aka write this for me), but to me AI is at its very best when you give it something first... you give it your writing, your notes, your thoughts, your papers, your blog post, your finances, your spreadsheets, etc. If you haven't had much luck pulling stuff out, try feeding it more of your own stuff, and see how it can help you."

Have a terrific weekend and happy writing!

Eric