58: See What You're Saying: The Power of Visual Leadership | Todd Cherches

Visual leadership isn’t just about slides or whiteboards. It’s a set of mindsets and methods that can make your ideas stick and your teams move.

In this energizing episode of The Learnit Lounge, Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins sits down with Todd Cherches—NYU professor, bestselling author, global management thinker, and CEO of Big Blue Gumball—to explore the transformative power of visual thinking for leaders and learners. Todd shares real-world stories, models, metaphors, and science-backed tools for turning abstract visions into compelling, actionable plans. You’ll hear how metaphors, models, and visual language drive clarity, empathy, and connection—especially when navigating change, complexity, and ambiguity. Whether you want to level up your team’s communication or reimagine your own leadership approach, this is a masterclass in thinking beyond words.

What You’ll Learn:

• What “visual leadership” actually means—and why it’s not just about drawing (03:13)
• Four visual thinking tools every leader should have: imagery, models, metaphor, and storytelling (06:02)
• How the right metaphor or analogy can instantly increase understanding and connection (08:17)
• Why visuals and storytelling boost attention, comprehension, and retention for any audience (10:51)
• How visual language helps leaders cut through ambiguity and complexity in uncertain times (24:31)
• Tangible strategies to build your own visibility, voice, and value as a leader—even if you’re an introvert (27:19)
• The most common myth about leadership development—and why we should start much earlier (29:48)

In This Episode:

00:01 – Mickey welcomes listeners and introduces the show

02:15 – Todd joins and shares his background in leadership, coaching, and learning

03:13 – What visual leadership means—and why every leader needs it

04:50 – Mickey’s “swap your glasses” metaphor for seeing through others’ lenses

06:02 – The 4 pillars of visual thinking: imagery, models, metaphor, storytelling

09:37 – Why metaphors spark clarity and buy-in (and how humor helps)

10:51 – The science behind attention, comprehension, and retention

14:06 – Todd’s most powerful metaphor: the “leadership journey” car dashboard

17:26 – Translating visual thinking to team action and empathy

20:31 – Tools for mapping complex challenges—and making invisible barriers visible

22:01 – How visual communication bridges empathy, connection, and understanding

27:19 – Todd’s biggest leadership lesson: building visibility, voice, and value

29:48 – The uncomfortable truth about leadership development (and how to fix it)

31:04 – Where to find Todd’s book, TED Talk, and connect for more

About Todd Cherches:

Todd Cherches is the CEO and co-founder of Big Blue Gumball, an innovative New York City-based leadership development and executive coaching firm. He’s a three-time award-winning adjunct professor at NYU, a lecturer at Columbia University, one of Thinkers50’s top global gurus, a member of the Marshall Goldsmith MG100, and a TEDx speaker. Todd is the author of Visual Leadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life, published by Post Hill Press and Simon & Schuster. He is recognized globally for teaching leaders how to harness visual thinking to drive clarity, collaboration, and change.

Resources & Mentions:

• Todd’s website (TED Talk, book summary download, more)
• Todd on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/toddcherches
• Todd’s book: Visual Leadership
• Article: “Can You Draw What Your Company Does?” (Forbes/Inc.)
• Book: Learn-It-All Leader by Damon Lembi
• Metaphors discussed: “elephant in the room,” “tip of the iceberg,” “leadership journey” car dashboard
• Todd’s TEDx Talk: The Power of Visual Thinking

Podcast Contact Information:

• Website: www.learnit.com
• Email: podcast@learnit.com
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