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The Connected Leader book club questions
Here are 11 book club questions for The Connected Leader by Emmanuel Gobillot, ordered to open easily and end somewhere worth arguing about. Copy them, print them, or bring them up one at a time.
The Connected Leader is Emmanuel Gobillot's argument that traditional command-and-control leadership is giving way to a model built on genuine connection, community, and shared meaning.
Emmanuel Gobillot · 2007 · 3h 45m
Full summary and key takeaways →The 11 questions
- 1.
Gobillot argues that informal networks are where influence actually flows. How well do you understand the informal network in your own organization?
- 2.
Think of a leader who earned your genuine commitment rather than just your compliance. What did they do differently?
- 3.
When have you seen a leader's formal authority get in the way of building real connection with their team? What happened?
- 4.
Gobillot distinguishes managed input from genuine participation. How do you tell the difference in practice? What does genuine participation actually require?
- 5.
How transparent are you with your team about uncertainty or things you don't know? What prevents more transparency?
- 6.
What does shared purpose actually look like in your organization — is it a real reason to care or a slogan on the wall? How can you tell?
- 7.
Where have you experienced the difference between compliance and commitment in a team or organization? What caused each?
- 8.
Gobillot argues that listening quality matters more than communication quantity. What would better listening look like for you specifically?
- 9.
What commitments have you made to your team in the past six months? How well have you followed through on them?
- 10.
The book was written in 2007. Which of its arguments feel more relevant now than they did then, and which feel dated?
- 11.
What would you have to change about your leadership approach to become a genuinely connected leader by Gobillot's definition?
How to run the discussion
- Pick six to eight, not all of them. An hour of real discussion covers fewer questions than anyone expects, and racing the list is what makes a book club feel like homework.
- Open with what people noticed, not what they concluded. Asking for a verdict first hardens opinions before anyone has heard each other.
- Let the disagreement run. The questions below that split a room are the ones worth the time; the ones everyone answers the same way can be skipped.
- Ask the quiet person a specific question. A direct, narrow question is far easier to answer than an open invitation to contribute.
Themes worth steering toward
If the conversation stalls, these are the threads that usually restart it.
Common questions
What are good book club questions for The Connected Leader?
Here are 11 book club questions for The Connected Leader by Emmanuel Gobillot, ordered to open easily and end somewhere worth arguing about. The strongest openers ask what each reader noticed rather than what they concluded, and the discussion usually turns on leadership, community and belonging, influence.
How long should a book club discussion of The Connected Leader last?
Most groups run 60 to 90 minutes of actual discussion. That is roughly six to eight questions, not all of them, so pick the ones that suit your group rather than working down the list in order.
What are the main themes in The Connected Leader?
Leadership, Community and belonging, Influence, Organizational culture, Trust. Those are the threads most likely to divide a room, which makes them the useful places to steer a discussion that has gone quiet.
Picking the next one? See books like The Connected Leader or questions for other book club picks.
