Discover the Secret to Long-Term Success as an Osteopath
- Alan Zaia M.Ost
- April 2, 2023
- Book Lessons

Start With Why: A Must-Read for Osteopaths
As an osteopath, you’re in the business of helping people.
You want to provide the best possible care to your patients and grow your practice to reach even more people.
But have you ever stopped to think about why you do what you do?
In his book, “Start With Why,” Simon Sinek argues that starting with why is the key to inspiring action and achieving long-term success.
Let’s explore three core lessons from the book, how it’s essential for a meaningful career and how they apply to your work as an osteopath.

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Lesson 1: Start with Why
The first lesson from “Start With Why” is to start with why.
According to Sinek, successful individuals and organisations start with their purpose, cause, or belief before moving on to how they do what they do and what they do.
As an osteopath, this means focusing on your why.
- Why did you choose this profession?
- What is your purpose in helping patients?
- What impact do you want to have on your patients’ lives?
By communicating your why clearly to potential patients and colleagues, you can create a sense of connection and trust, and attract like-minded individuals to your practice.
To implement this lesson in your practice, consider the following:
- Identify your why: Take some time to reflect on why you became an osteopath and what drives you to help patients.
- Communicate your why: Use your why to guide your messaging and branding. Make sure your website, social media, and other marketing materials communicate your purpose clearly.
- Attract like-minded patients: By communicating your why, you can attract patients who share your beliefs and values. These patients are more likely to be loyal and refer others to your practice.
Lesson 2: The Golden Circle
The second lesson from “Start With Why” is the Golden Circle.
Sinek introduces the Golden Circle, which consists of three circles: Why, How, and What.
According to Sinek, most companies and individuals start with what they do, then move on to how they do it, and only then think about why they do it. However, the most successful leaders and companies start with why, then move on to how and what.
As an osteopath, this means focusing on the benefits of osteopathy and the purpose behind your work, rather than just the techniques and treatments you use.
By communicating your why first, you can create a sense of connection and understanding with your patients.
To implement this lesson in your practice, consider the following:
- Focus on your why: Make sure your messaging and branding communicate your why clearly.
- Communicate the benefits of osteopathy: Help your patients understand how osteopathy can benefit them and aligns with your why.
- Use storytelling: Stories are a powerful way to communicate your why and the benefits of osteopathy.
Lesson 3: The Law of Diffusion of Innovation
The third lesson from “Start With Why” is the Law of Diffusion of Innovation.
Sinek discusses the Law of Diffusion of Innovation, which states that the majority of people are followers, while a small minority are early adopters and innovators.
In order to achieve mass adoption, an idea or product must first be adopted by the innovators and early adopters, who are drawn to the why behind it.
As an osteopath, this means focusing on your why and communicating it effectively to attract patients and other businesses who share your beliefs and values.
To implement this lesson in your practice, consider the following:
- Focus on your why: Make sure your messaging and branding communicate your why clearly.
- Attract and connect with like-minded patients and businesses: Use your why to attract patients and create business to business relationships who share your beliefs and values.
- Create a ripple effect: By attracting like-minded patients, you can create a ripple effect that increases word-of-mouth referrals and diversifies your patient list with patients you enjoy treating.
Summary:
Simon Sinek’s book “Start With Why” is a powerful reminder of the importance of identifying and communicating one’s purpose, cause or belief in order to inspire action and achieve long-term success.
As an osteopath, starting with why can help you create a sense of connection and trust with your patients and colleagues, and attract like-minded individuals to your practice.
By focusing on your why and communicating it effectively, you can create a loyal following of emotionally invested patients who are more likely to recommend your practice to others, ultimately leading to better outcomes and long-term success for your career.
Are you interested in finding your why? Let’s find it together through branding.
Written by Alan Zaia M.Ost
Founder & CEO of Osteohustle. You’ll find Alan coaching osteopaths, travelling in a van or writing our weekly newsletter, The Hustle.
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Subscribe to The Hustle
The greatest osteopaths in the world never stop learning.
Get the best business and marketing resources for osteopaths in 30 words or less into your inbox every Monday.
By subscribing to The Hustle, you agree to our terms and conditions. We’ll never send spam.