Mythology for Managers: 12 Archetypes Every Leader Needs to have in their toolkit

Episode notes

Introduction Ian Banner and Steve Forbes explore a revolutionary approach to leadership that most MBA programs never teach. Steve shares his fascinating research journey into why cultures become toxic and how leaders often get trapped in inappropriate archetypes for their situations. Ian brings his characteristic energy and real-world examples, including stories about cement trucks, Yoda's backwards speech patterns, and why some coaches claiming to "speak truth to power" are just wearing grown-up clothes. Together, they map out practical frameworks for conscious archetype switching that C-level leaders can implement immediately. Whether you're struggling with organisational dysfunction, leading transformation initiatives, or want to expand your leadership toolkit beyond traditional command-and-control models, this conversation provides actionable insights for the future of work. You can listen to discover which archetype you default to and learn how to consciously shift your leadership stance based on your organisation's needs. Takeaways Leadership requires different stances; one size doesn't fit all. Toxic cultures often stem from leaders not adapting their archetypes.