Articles and Essays by Todd Henry

Creating

Talent Gets You In The Game, But Your Practices Keep You At The Table

Many young creative pros think their talent will sustain them. However, you need to build infrastructure to support your ambition.

Leading

When “Good Enough” Becomes the Dominant Culture

Something happens on teams when efficiency wins every argument. Here’s how to manage that tension.

Leading

Playing Different Games at the Same Table

Everyone is optimizing for something. That’s the reason your team’s tension might not be a problem to solve but a reality to name.

Leading

What Leaders Can Learn From Australia’s War On… Birds

One very embarrassing military campaign, and what it means for creative leaders today.

Creating

“Do” vs. “Through” Work and the Bargain of AI

You may be automating the wrong things. There is work you just need to get through, and there is work that you need to actually do. Do you know which work is which? And are you willing to protect it?

Leading

The Hardest Thing Is To See What’s In Front of You

A lesson from Lincoln on dealing with moments of opportunity and danger.

Creating

Do You Have “Escape Hatches”?

When you’re responsible for creating value in the face of uncertainty, it’s easy to find ways of escaping doing the work. You need to close your escape hatches.

Leading

5 Questions Every Creative Pro Should Be Asking

We’re in an era of unprecedented change and uncertainty. Here are five questions that every leader should be asking to ensure they’re not falling prey to “uncertainty drift.”

Leading

Super Chickens vs. Super Coops

Focused on hiring only all-star performers? May want to think again. Here’s why team intelligence out-performs superstars nearly every time.

Creating

Want To Go Fast? Slow Down.

When it comes to results, maybe optimization isn’t really the answer. Two experts share why finding rhythm and inner excellence are the key to sustained performance.

Leading

It’s easy to chalk up some people as just “lucky.” But what if their luck is actually just a skill they’ve developed? Economist Judd Kessler shares the hidden markets that can give you an advantage in life, leadership, and creative work.

Leading

How To Be a Super – Communicator

Ever feel like no matter what you do, you’re always misunderstood? Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Charles Duhigg shares key practices of leaders who know how to connect deeply with others.