Articles and Essays by Todd Henry

Leading

Innovation, Or Just Innovation Theater?

If you want brave work, the leader has to go first. Make brave decisions. Speak agency into your team. Paint a brave, optimistic vision.

October 30, 2024

Leading

What Is Strategy?

Three practical tips for thinking more strategically from the latest Daily Creative episode featuring my conversation with Seth Godin about his book This Is Strategy.

October 24, 2024

Leading

The Mouse / Mansion Maxim

There is a big difference between confidence and ego. When we adopt a posture of confident humility, it makes us a better human and a more trustworthy leader.

October 10, 2024

Leading

The Existential Overwhelm of the Moment

Are you ever alone with your thoughts? Do you ever find time to sort out the tangles and variant thought streams that result in stress and anxiety?

September 30, 2024

Leading

The Most Important Question You’re Probably Not Asking

It’s almost a certainty that your team members have opinions of your decisions and leadership. However, they are unlikely to share those opinions freely unless given a window of opportunity.

April 10, 2024

Leading

No one aspires to cowardice, yet many still choose it every day. They fail to speak up because they’re afraid of being wrong. They take the easier, more comfortable path instead of the one that could lead to immense return on their effort. Here’s how to fix it.

March 27, 2024

Leading

How To Give Effective Feedback About Creative Work

Poor, imprecise feedback can cause more problems than no feedback at all. Learn to give feedback that actually works.

September 1, 2023

Leading

Focus On Climate, Not The Weather

While it’s certainly important to address conflicts and work to resolve them in a healthy way, it’s equally important to focus on the overall culture of your team and how it is trending.

May 17, 2023

Leading

Good Decisions With Bad Outcomes

It’s faulty thinking to evaluate past decisions based upon your present understanding. And, doing so can lead to worse decisions in the future.

May 1, 2023

Creating

Reclaim The Profundity Of The Present

Each moment has meaning that, if ignored, will be lost forever. Circumstances will never again combine in this unique way to form this moment, right here, right now.

April 25, 2023

Creating

Don’t Chase Cool. Avoid The Zeitgeist Blender.

If you are feeling uninspired, recognize that it could be due to feeding on the output of the Zeitgeist Blender. Don’t allow cultural sentiment to rob you of the joy of surprise and delight.

April 18, 2023

Living

We Are Unmoored. It’s Time To Re-Tether.

Without a central driving narrative, it’s easy to become “unmoored” and adrift. I believe this is precisely what’s happened to many professionals over the past few years.

April 13, 2023

Inspiration

Festival de las Ideas

The iconic festival dedicated to ideas, innovation, and freedom was a true joy to experience.

March 13, 2023

Leading

Why You Should Be Afraid Of Ghost (Rules)

How invisible rules can haunt your team’s culture and inhibit good collaboration.

December 1, 2022

Creating

Find Your “Sweet Spot” Of Effectiveness

Your sweet spot is discovered through active contemplation, not passive reflection. The broader your base of experience, the more patterns you will be able to discern.

November 28, 2022