The Experimental Leader: Be a New Kind of Boss to Cultivate an Organization of Innovators

by Melanie Parish

We live in a world informed by innovation. And yet, too many leaders in the knowledge sector are relying on instinctive, outdated―sometimes even toxic―methods to guide their teams.

It’s time for management to start innovating, too. In this bold new approach to leadership, sought-after executive coach, speaker, and author Melanie Parish shows you how to approach projects and situations with a scientist’s mindset―testing hypotheses and analyzing results in a systematic way that will enable you to experiment and refine how you deal with challenges and opportunities.

Genres: Management

168 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2020

Reviews

[Jennifer Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book written to not only educate but to immediately apply what I believe are the simple but proven ways to enhance one’s leadership talent.

Who can argue with a philosophy that advocates that leaders should experiment, iterate, and innovate. The crisis we are facing in health care right now demands we boldly choose new thinking and manage risk by using a scientific mindset.

An entire section describing the seven toxic types of leaders was a good reminder of behaviours I want to try to avoid. However it also highlights that these toxic types can have benefits depending on the conditions in which they are leading. For example a Dominant leader “can overhaul an organization, increasing profitability as they champion their vision.” However this type can also inhibit innovation and perspective gathering when the way forward is unclear.

A quick practical read, this author deftly weaves in a range of known best principles from others such as Eliyahu Goldratt, Toyota, and Thomas International with an entire chapter about Tools for an Experimental Culture. Throughout the book your learning is reinforced with tips on how to “test the theory”.

If you truly want to be a “new kind of boss to cultivate an organization of innovators” then Melanie’s extensive experience coaching c-suite leaders should be credibility enough to buy this book. When Seth Godin endorses the book on the front cover, you know it’s a keeper.

[Jane Mulkewich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am fortunate to know this author personally, and to have read an earlier version of the book, and to have put some of the principles and methodology of this book into practice already. For me, this is not a book that you read once and forget about; it is a road-map and a way forward. The "Experimental" in the title calls for an attitude of curiosity, a willingness to try new approaches, and to use some scientific rigor in experimentation, asking yourself questions like: What is the end-state you want to achieve? What is your current reality? What obstacles keep you from your desired end-state? Which obstacle do you want to work on now? I was also really interested in the discussion of the seven toxic types of leaders (dominant, influential, stickler, conflict-averse, naysayer, complacent, manipulative). I think every time I open this book, I get something new from it. Right from the first line "Being a leader is lonely work", this book resonated with me. I was compelled by the idea of how very quickly the world around us is changing, the "innovation revolution" we are in, and how experimental leaders create stability in an unstable world, "stability at breakneck speed". Innovative leaders need to read this book!

[Bill Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a leadership book I can use. It's central idea--that a leader needs to foster the practice of continuous, small experiments, by everyone in your organization--makes a lot of sense. Parish suggests starting with a look at your goals and then the barriers that are preventing your business or group from achieving them. She then suggests small experiments that will produce measurable results to try to eliminate those barriers. Whether or not the experiment eliminates a barrier, the experimenter should gain information from doing the experiment. Succeed or fail, the experiment should produce data.
The book is helpful about how to frame goals at all levels of your organization and about the kinds of attitudes and actions by leaders that will help foster the innovative environment she describes. Open, neutral listening is key.
I read the book straight through (against her advice at the beginning!) and will now circle back and work with the ideas. But the ideas and method of leadership makes sense and as a guide, it is clear, practical and succinct.

[Suzanne Foreman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Innovative, sharp, well-considered, and backed by extensive experience, Melanie Parish brings a fresh new perspective to an arena desperately in need of renovation; the authenticity of genuine leadership.