81: Why Visual Thinking Inspires Clear and Powerful Leadership | Todd Cherches

Ever struggle to get your team to truly see the future you're aiming for?  

Todd Cherches, an expert in leadership and visual thinking, has a groundbreaking approach that could change the way you lead. 

In this episode of The Learn-It-All Leader Podcast, Todd Cherches, CEO and co-founder of Big Blue Gumball, shares his innovative insights on visual leadership—a method that leverages visual thinking to enhance communication, leadership, and teamwork. From using metaphors and imagery to simplifying complex concepts, Todd’s techniques are designed to help leaders clearly articulate their vision, inspire teams, and drive meaningful action. 

This Episode Covers: 

• Why visual thinking is the future of leadership 
• The four key techniques to make your leadership message stick 
• How leaders can use props and metaphors to enhance communication 
• The importance of ego-free leadership and servant leadership 
• How to lead without dominating and collaborate effectively 
• The Passion-Skills Matrix: finding your leadership sweet spot 

 Episode Highlights: 

(00:00) Introduction to Todd Cherches – Damon and Darren introduce Todd Cherches, leadership expert and author, and dive into his innovative approach to leadership through visual thinking. 

(02:00) The Power of Visual Thinking – Todd explains why leaders need to think visually and how it helps communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively. 

(05:30) Using Metaphors and Models – Todd shares how he uses visual metaphors and models to help leaders simplify their messages and get their teams on the same page. 

(09:00) Leadership as a Visual Skill – Todd discusses how leaders can leverage visual thinking in their day-to-day roles to engage, inspire, and align their teams around a shared vision. 

(12:33) Storytelling in Leadership – Todd emphasizes the importance of storytelling in leadership, using examples from his book Visual Leadership and his TEDx talk. 

(17:00) Tools for Leaders – Todd walks through practical tools and techniques leaders can use to enhance their visual communication skills, including the use of props, diagrams, and visual storytelling. 

(21:30) Lessons in Ego-Free Leadership – Todd shares stories of how ego can get in the way of effective leadership and how leaders can practice “ego-free leadership” to build trust and collaboration. 

(33:18) Final Thoughts on Visual Leadership – Todd wraps up with actionable tips on how leaders can immediately start using visual thinking to improve their communication and leadership effectiveness. 

About Todd: 

Todd Cherches, CEO and co-founder of Big Blue Gumball, is an executive coach, consultant, and award-winning professor specializing in leadership development through visual thinking. With over 25 years of experience, including roles at Disney and CBS, Todd’s innovative methods help business professionals become more effective thinkers, communicators, and leaders. A TEDx speaker and author of Visual Leadership, Todd’s unique, engaging approach to leadership has earned him recognition as a pioneer in the field and a finalist for the Thinkers50 Distinguished Achievement Award in Leadership. 

Resources Referenced: 

 Todd Cherches’ TEDx Talk 

Big Blue Gumball 

Book: Visual Leadership—Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life 

Book: Drive—The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink 

Book: Made to Stick—Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan  

The Passion-Skills Matrix: Todd’s framework for aligning passion and skill to maximize team effectiveness  

Todd’s LinkedIn 

Todd’s website