A Stoke-on-Trent-based organisational psychologist and business owner is aiming to transform how businesses think about leadership with the launch of his first book.
Award-winning workplace culture specialist, Danny Wareham, of Burslem, has spent his career helping organisations from small start-ups to global names like LEGO and WorldPay to build happier, more purposeful teams.
Now he is encouraging companies to ‘reimagine leadership for a connected age’ in his debut title, Constellation.
The book challenges traditional ideas of leadership by proposing a model where success comes not from a single figurehead, but from a shared sense of purpose and culture across the whole team.
Danny, who founded his company, Firgun Ltd, in 2021, said: “I start with the question who leads when the leader isn’t in the room?
“We all recognise that our own behaviours, decisions and approaches – even our language – are influenced by the unwritten rules and norms of the groups that we’re in. Whether that’s with friends, family or clients, culture subtly nudges us towards what’s acceptable and away from what’s not tolerated.
“Traditional leadership models are based on the idea of the leader as an individual hero: the visionary chief executive, the decisive manager, the charismatic figurehead.
“Constellation leadership means that, for companies, you don’t have to have the leader in the room to get things done.”
Drawing on case studies and interviews with organisations including the British Army, NASA’s astronaut training manager for the Challenger Shuttle and leading software development teams, the book explores how this approach works in practice.
Its title reflects the idea that, like stars in a constellation, individuals shine brightest when connected by a shared purpose.
Danny added: “Culture, not hierarchy, is what governs behaviour when the leader isn’t in the room, and the leader isn’t in the room most of the time.
“The research demonstrated that we needed a new leadership model that wasn’t hindered by hierarchical structures. I looked at this during my academic thesis and have used that work as a building block for my book.”
Jo Garland, director of customer engagement at the LEGO Group, said: “Constellation leadership may well be the leadership of tomorrow. It takes you on a thought-provoking journey through leadership history, relatable case studies, and an invitation to explore the real power of organisational culture.”
Melanie Robinson, deputy CEO of the Institute of Leadership, added: “Constellation explores leaderless leadership with clarity and engaging prose, offering fresh insights for navigating today’s connected world.”
So looking forward to getting into this!!!
I’ve had mine and am really impressed! It’s like there’s a local Simon Sinek.