Herding Tigers – Leadership Questions

The first book in the Leadership Book Club (2019) is Herding Tigers: Be the Leader that Creative People Need by Todd Henry.  If you haven’t already picked up a copy and devoured the contents, you need to pronto! This book is one that will stay on my shelves for reference.

As promised, here are some questions – feel free to use with your own book club group, and/or engage in discussion below in the comments section:

1. Which parts of the book stood out to you? Are there any concepts you found particularly compelling?
2. Henry says on pg. 4 that it’s our job as leaders to shine some light on the creative process to help stakeholders understand everything that goes into creative work. What are some ways that you’ve tried to shine a light? How well did they work? What would you do differently now?
3. Have you ever allowed the desire to be liked compromise effectiveness? What could you do about it? Do you find it easy or difficult to create and maintain boundaries with other team members?
4. What is one way you could “lead small” this week? It could be a small act of service to your team, or something to show you’re not above doing something others would consider admin or menial work.
5. Think of a time when you’ve experienced a great coach – during a sport, activity, or at work. What where the qualities that made that coach special? How can you bring those to your team?
6. Where can you build buffers in your schedule (and life) in order to protect your energy?
7. Do you feel like your relationships at work changed when you “levelled up”? If yes, how? Was it a surprise or were you expecting it?
8. Do you feel like you work in an environment that allows room for failure? If no, what does that do to your team? How can you create space for failure and recovery?
9. A lot of creative people take pride in what they create. If you are now leading and no longer creating, what do you take pride in? Where do you find your sense of satisfaction?
10. What framework do you use to make important career and life decisions?
11. Who do you consider to be on your council of advisers? How often do you consult them? Is it the right amount, or do you think you should do so more often?
12. What key team dynamics would you include on a team or personal Dashboard (eg. focus, health, commitment to work)?
13. What are some ‘rails’ that you think are effective in determining whether work is good or bad in the context of your own industry?
14. Which rituals spoke most to you? Do you think you will adopt any of the weekly/monthly/quarterly ones?
15. What new leadership tactics will you commit to trying out or working to improve on in the next 2 months?

 

<<Next up: Dare to Lead by Brene Brown. I hope you join us!>>

 

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