ICONic Book Club

The most recent ICON Book Club featured a lively discussion of a rare beast – an Australian leadership book with a global application. But it made us wonder whether an Australian book would be relevant for readers who don’t live and work in Australia?  

The latest Australian leadership book and what makes it stand out

Kirstin Ferguson's "Head and Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership" is not your average leadership book. It opens by painting a vivid pen portrait of the modern leader, using figures like Jacinda Ardern and Satya Nadella as examples. The core premise is simple yet profound: modern leaders lead with both head and heart, balancing strategic thinking with empathy and emotional intelligence.

Ferguson's voice and featured leaders are undeniably Australian and diverse including people like Benjamin Law, Yvette Rees, Mark Scott and Sally McManus. Their perspectives on how to lead are varied and valuable in providing life to how Modern Leaders deploy both Head (including attributes Curiousity, Wisdom, Perspective and Capability) and Heart (including attributes Humility, Self-Awareness, Courage and Empathy) at their work. 

The framework transcends borders and resonates across industries. This was evident in the ICON book club discussion, where the focus shifted from theory to application.

Our discussion centred around several key points:

Putting the Framework to Work: The self-assessment tool provided in the book allowed us to reflect on our own leadership styles. We agreed that sharing these results with our teams and peers could foster open communication and collaboration.

Head vs. Heart in Recruitment: We questioned the traditional emphasis on "head" qualities in recruitment, considering whether incorporating the "heart" aspect could attract more well-rounded and inspiring leaders. This sparked discussions about the culture and the values we prioritise and reward in professional services firms.

Aspirational Leadership: We wondered whether the framework was more aspirational - one that guides us towards becoming better leaders ourselves - when so many of our political leaders seemed to fall short of the Modern Leader ideal.

Beyond these specific topics, the book's strength lies in its ability to spark conversation. It challenges traditional leadership stereotypes and encourages readers to think critically about their own approach.

Here's what makes "Head and Heart" stand out:

• Unique Framework: The "head and heart" model provides a clear and actionable framework for leadership development. It's not just theoretical but offers concrete tools for self-evaluation and improvement.
• Compelling Examples: Real-life stories of successful leaders, like Jacinda Ardern and Satya Nadella, bring the framework to life and make it relatable.
• Diverse Voices: The book showcases a range of leadership styles and backgrounds, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and diversity in leadership models.
• Focus on Application: The book goes beyond theory and provides practical exercises and tools to help readers apply the framework in their own lives.
• Discussion Starter: The book's thought-provoking content is guaranteed to spark lively discussions and debates about leadership in your book club or team meetings.

Overall, "Head and Heart" is a refreshing and insightful read that challenges traditional leadership thinking and provides a valuable framework for personal and professional reflection and discussion. This book could be enjoyed by readers anywhere with an emphasis on compelling and diverse examples and practical application.

This ICONIC book club session was brilliantly facilitated by Juliet Robinson from Big Goals. Check out her podcast Grow Your Leadership. The most recent episode about psychopaths at work is chilling and recognisable and there’s plenty of other interesting material in there that will help you be a better leader.

To join the next ICONic Book Club please send us an email.

Join the ICON Book Club to discuss Playing to win: how strategy really works on Friday 10 May at 1pm AEST for some robust discussion, reflection and tips on how to use the book’s insights in our organisations. You don’t have to read the book to join the discussion. Some of the following resources will help you get the “vibe”:

• Roger Martin, one of the books authors summarises its content in 3:48. Click here
• Roger Martin one hour webinar
• An 11 minute video from A G Lafley also one of the book’s authors