Why second-in-command is sometimes best.

The mere mention of consiglieri conjures up images of The Godfather but beyond Hollywood the roles of the assistants – the No2s – are essential to any leader and organisation. This formed the central tenet of Richard Hytner’s 2015 book Consiglieri: Leading From the Shadows, which he discussed onstage at the 2015 Leaders Sport Performance Summit in London. For the book, he interviewed a wealth of seconds-in-command across the worlds of sport, business and politics in order to establish why in his view, second can sometimes be best.

Here, we dip into the Leaders Performance Institute archives to bring you Hytner’s session. Then serving as Deputy Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi, he was well-placed to delve into the reasons why second-in-command can sometimes be best providing there is a strong dynamic between the No1 and the No2.

Hytner illustrates his point by explaining:

-Why ‘seconds’ matter to the ‘firsts’.

-The need to appreciate charismatic leaders.

-The honour and contentment to be found as a No2.

-The importance of generating emotions, as well as liberating, educating and anchoring leaders.