Discovering Your Authentic Voice with Todd Henry | The Good Leadership Podcast #87

Todd Henry positions himself as an "arms dealer for the creative revolution", he teaches leaders and organizations how to establish practices that lead to everyday brilliance.

He is the author of six books (The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Louder Than Words, Herding Tigers, The Motivation Code, Daily Creative) 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.

With more than fifteen million downloads, his podcast The Accidental Creative offers weekly tips for how to stay prolific, brilliant, and healthy.

Todd's book Die Empty was named by Amazon.com as one of the best books of 2013. His latest book, Daily Creative, offers daily sparks of inspiration and practical advice for creative pros.

The Accidental Creative Podcast: https://accidentalcreative.com/podcasts

Todd Henry's Books: toddhenry.com/books

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Learn more about IMS and future sessions with thought leaders like Todd Henry: https://ims-online.com

Single Servings (bite-sized video clips that answer your most pressing leadership and management challenges) - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNwWl_bClmVyp_YJxfrDJy4kGhRxaxJZm

Relevant IMS Leadership and Management Articles - blog.ims-online.com

Connect on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/charlesagood

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:11) Todd’s background

(03:37) Elements of an authentic voice: Identity, Vision and Mastery

(05:53) Key principles: Authenticity, Uniqueness, Precision, Empathy and Timing

(10:00) If you have identity + vision, but not mastery

(10:31) If you have identity + mastery, but lack the vision

(10:51) If you have mastery + vision, but don’t have the identity

(11:39) Major obstacles when creating authentic voice

(13:49) Concept of Inertia 

(15:08) Phases of growth: Discovery, Emulation, Divergence and Crisis

(18:54) Example of Emulation phase

(20:35) Divergence after Emulation example

(23:18) Taking risks and finding one’s own voice

(26:22) What is Authenticity?

(27:12) Advisers help us see ourselves fully 

(28:45) Writing your own manifesto

(32:07) Notables as a tool to understand ourselves better

(34:41) Finding intended audience instead of target market

(35:22) Deeply resonating with one person helps you connect with many

(38:05) Working on empathy to create authentic voice

(40:49) Example of anti-smoking campaigns and their achieved results

(43:45) Gain Mastery with deliberate practice

(47:46) Concept of dailies and Todd’s daily practices

(50:24) Practice keeps you battle ready 

(53:37) Example of consistency between the product, message, and cultural moment

(55:56) Key takeaway

(56:51) Conclusion