10 Takeaways from TBWA Tiger Academy

At TBWA\Worldhealth, I had the incredible privilege of attending Tiger Academy🐯, a 1-week Rising Leaders program that took place in Istanbul, Turkey. We heard from many inspiring coaches and TBWA CEOs who shared their disruptive vision on leadership.

Check out the 10 top things Modern Leaders do and WHY they matter.

1. Why start with yourself (and your brain)?

A powerful tool to get to know your strengths is the HBDI test. Andy Satter, held a really fun workshop on empathizing with other people's ways of thinking and strategies to do so.

Here is my brain; I love to ask, WHY? Experimental thinking, vision, big-picture thinker, and a playful imagination, while my C side means I love to bring people together.

2. Why shift from HERO to HOST?

A modern motivator helps others flourish around them, like a great party host, as mentioned by Alison Chadwick. It's OK not to have all the answers.

3. Why ask questions?

That’s when you go from boss to coach. Whenever possible, exercise asking a question rather than telling your team exactly what to do. That's empowerment!

4. Why listen?

Have you ever talked to your boss and felt they didn't hear you? You were likely left uninspired and frustrated. It's important to exercise mindfulness to manage a wandering mind. After all, our brain processes 70,000 thoughts each day!

5. Why be vulnerable?

People are watching; when you show up with a negative or upset vibe, others may wonder if THEY did something wrong. Sharing how you feel avoids misunderstandings and creates an environment where others can be vulnerable too.

6. Why practice gratitude?

Thanking others drives a wave of positivity, according to Jill Nykoliation, CEO at Juniper Park \ TBWA. It makes people feel seen, heard, and motivated. Gratitude sits at the very top of the Omega vibration funnel! Have you thanked someone recently? This is a reminder to give someone praise - and be specific!

7. Why be calm?

As a leader, YOU create the weather. Be someone people can turn to and coach them in the right direction. Be the sunny sky on stormy days.

8. Why prioritize culture?

Leadership is a relationship, and motivation is the new KPI. When people feel judged, they don't want to join. If they don't want to join, you don't have a team, culture, or results.

9. Why self-awareness?

When there is an issue with team performance, managers often ask, "what's wrong with THEM?” In contrast, modern leaders pick up the mirror and ask, “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, could it be me that caused my fall?”

10. Why invest in diversity & inclusion?

It drives greater innovation and creativity. Frans Johansson's shared the power of diverse perspectives- especially in advertising. Inviting "hidden heroes" to meetings and doing breakout groups in your brainstorms is a more inclusive approach with greater potential for innovation. Check out his book here.

To wrap it all up, Tiger Academy truly disrupted the meaning to the word “lead”, as posed by a fascinating Negotiation/ Leadership Coach, Lousin Mehrabi:

Rafaella Kanbar