Now more than ever, it’s time to change your leadership game!
The meaning of leadership is currently in major flux in organizations around the world. Being a leader is no longer about having all the answers, making all the decisions, driving your team hard, and being in the spotlight.
The workplace needs a new way of leading — one that genuinely engages and motivates people. In this book, Steffan Surdek introduces co-creative leadership and the five key skills that define it.
Grounded in real coaching experiences and Steffan’s own personal growth journey, this is not theory. It is practical wisdom drawn directly from years of working alongside leaders and their teams.
“I cannot imagine any leader reading this book and not finding themselves within the countless anecdotes and lessons. And that is what makes this book so useful.”
What is co-creative leadership?
Tell me something, does any of this sound familiar to you?
Your team always defaults to your ideas without real debate or pushback. You are tired of making all the decisions because people constantly turn to you for approval. You feel like your leadership is not working the way it used to and you want to create a greater impact. You want more engagement and collaboration from your team but despite your best efforts, things never seem to change.
If you answered yes to any of these, co-creative leadership is what you have been looking for.
Co-creative leadership is not just a set of things to do or not to do as a leader. It is a mindset leaders need to develop to harness the brainpower and knowledge of the people around you in order to create highly motivated and engaged teams.
The idea behind being a co-creative leader is to be a leader that is more comfortable facing challenges with your team. It is about changing your leadership game to engage people in a way that allows them to step up and take real ownership of their work.
Being a co-creative leader also means becoming more authentic, intentional and vulnerable with your teams — because that is what it actually takes to increase your impact as a leader.
The big question is this… Where should you start? What do you need to learn to become a co-creative leader in all areas of your life?
The five key skills of a co-creative leader
Each skill is grounded in real coaching conversations and leadership stories. This is not theory — it is a practical framework leaders can apply immediately with their teams.
Being a Voice Among Many in the Conversation
Create space for your team’s ideas to flourish while remaining an active and influential voice in the conversation.
Unleashing the Leaders Around You
Recognize untapped leadership potential and put people in situations that help them grow into the leaders they can be.
Building the Capacity of Your Team
Help your team members gain the skills they need to perform at a higher level and create sustainable change.
Dancing with the System
Understand organizations as complex adaptive systems and learn how to lead meaningful change within them.
Fostering Learning by Doing
Build a culture of continuous learning through small experiments and real action rather than endless planning.
What leaders are saying
“Filled with proven strategies and practical information to build your leadership skills. Whether you are an emerging leader or a seasoned veteran, you will enjoy his grasp of what you need to do to be a better leader.”
“The writing is accessible and flows like a conversation. The stories are interesting and relatable. The advice, questions, and suggested activities are engaging. Great read. Highly recommended.”
“This book challenges traditional leadership models and introduces a new, inclusive approach. Surdek’s emphasis on collaboration, personal growth, and authenticity offers a refreshing and much-needed perspective.”
“The moment I started reading, I felt as if I was devouring its contents. The book immediately grabbed my attention on an emotional level, pulling me in. The way Steffan describes the emotional and psychological experiences behind his leadership journey resonated deeply with me, and I couldn’t put the book down.”
“This book stands out for how easy it is to read and for how it lays the groundwork for an essential reflection on teamwork, specifically among leaders. It stands as a must-read for any modern leader seeking balance and effectiveness…”
Want to bring these ideas to your team?
The five skills in this book are the foundation of everything Steffan teaches in his keynotes and leadership programs. If your team is ready to move beyond the book and into action, let’s talk.