AC Podcast: Richard Hytner on How To Be a Better “Consiglieri”

We are obsessed with dominant leaders. With the #1. But what about those who are better equipped to be the #2, or the counselor, the truth-teller? Global Vice-Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi Richard Hytner is here to tell us how to become a better “consiglieri” with insights from his [amazon_link id=”1781254273″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]new book[/amazon_link].

Todd Henry

Positioning himself as an “arms dealer for the creative revolution”, Todd Henry teaches leaders and organizations how to establish practices that lead to everyday brilliance. He is the author of five books (The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Louder Than Words, Herding Tigers, The Motivation Code) which have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and he speaks and consults across dozens of industries on creativity, leadership, and passion for work.

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5 Comments

Andy Mort on June 25, 2014 at 12:32 am

Loved this interview Todd and Richard. So insightful and encouraging to me. I naturally take a consiglieri role, standing by others, offering advice/guidance and perspective when it’s needed. But I’m also a creative – I’m a songwriter and blogger. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you step up when it’s time to market/promote your OWN work/message if you feel much more comfortable and naturally fitted to standing by the side of others to help them with theirs?

I was so inspired by your conversation that I based my podcast this week around the idea of ‘Reluctant Leadership’. So thank you!
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- Todd Henry on June 27, 2014 at 3:40 pm
  
  Andy, have you seen Austin Kleon’s new book Show Your Work? There are some very practical tips in it about getting your work out into the world. Just a thought.
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  - Andy Mort on June 29, 2014 at 2:22 pm
    
    Thanks, Todd. No I haven’t read his new book. Loved Steal Like an Artist, will be sure to check it out.
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Robert Longley on June 28, 2014 at 6:09 am

This one really jumped out at me. I tend to gravitate towards this role on almost all of my current and past jobs but it’s not something that exists on paper. Good leaders recognize the consiglieri when they see it, but they generally don’t know that they need one before that. It can be a catch 22 for the consiglieri to get in the door. It can also be challenging in some organizations because it becomes sort of a shadow role. The leader basically goes around his own organization to get things done. It needs to be more recognized or people will sabotage the informal relationship to try and preserve their own perceived hierarchy.
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Brian Heninger on August 7, 2014 at 3:02 pm

Loved this episode. As an associate pastor, we can easily feel the need to “move up” to a head pastors role even though it may play against our strengths. Being second in charge doesn’t mean you are less of a person, instead play to your strengths and whatever you do for a career, you can still produce great work.
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