From Charging Rhino to Collaborative Leader

When I first got into entrepreneurship at age 18 I read a book called 'Rhinoceros Success', by Scott Alexander. I recently found it again while clearing out my loft. It was written in the 1980's, but still rings true today. Over the last decade I have also studied Patrick Lencioni's complete suite of books.

Rhinoceros Success and the works of Patrick Lencioni are very different in tone and style, but there's a powerful and fascinating synergy between them when it comes to personal leadership, team dynamics, and driving results.

Here’s how they align, and how they complement each other:

Charging Ahead vs. Leading with Purpose

• Rhinoceros Success is all about mindset - being bold, focused, energetic, and unstoppable. The metaphor of the rhinoceros is about charging through life’s obstacles with a thick skin and an unrelenting attitude.

• Patrick Lencioni, on the other hand, encourages leaders to pause and reflect, to understand human dynamics, lead with vulnerability, and align a team around clarity and values.

Synergy:

Alexander helps you ignite momentum. Lencioni helps you channel it. The rhino might crash through walls, but Lencioni ensures it’s charging in the right direction, with the right people, for the right reasons.

Personal Responsibility and Accountability

• Rhinoceros Success preaches radical personal responsibility. Rhinos don’t complain, they act.

• Lencioni’s frameworks, such as The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, are built on the idea that accountability and commitment are essential to high performance.

Synergy:

A rhino with Lencioni’s lens understands that success isn’t just personal hustle, it’s about how you take responsibility for your impact on others and the broader team mission.

Mindset (Rhino) vs. Working Genius (the WIDGET Model)

• Alexander says: Charge! Don’t be a timid cow.

• Lencioni says: Know your genius. Stay in your zone of contribution.

Synergy:

Rhinoceros Success gets you moving. Lencioni’s The 6 Types of Working Genius tells you how to move best, whether your energy is in Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement or Tenacity. Being a rhinoceros in the wrong genius can lead to burnout or frustration. By being a rhinoceros in the right genius, you will be unstoppable!

Clarity of Vision

• Alexander promotes a relentless pursuit of goals, with clarity about what you want and why.

• Lencioni’s The Advantage and The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive are also about clarity, but organisational clarity, purpose, values, and behavioural alignment.

Synergy:

Rhinoceros Success is like lighting the fire. Lencioni’s work helps you build the fireplace, the chimney, and the plan to keep the heat working for the long haul.

From Solopreneur Drive to Team Excellence

• Rhinoceros Success is often a catalyst for personal drive, especially in younger leaders or entrepreneurs.

• Lencioni’s models scale that energy into healthy organisations, cohesive teams, productive meetings, and aligned strategy.

Synergy:

The rhino is how you start (determined, energetic, brave). Lencioni helps you grow (by being collaborative, intentional, and impactful).

Final thought

If Rhinoceros Success gives you the courage to charge, Patrick Lencioni’s books give you the tools to grow and lead others while doing it. The fusion of both builds a rare combination: the energetic drive of a doer, and the reflective intelligence of a wise leader.

What about you?

Which book(s) shaped your mindset or leadership style the most, and why?

Are you more of a charging rhino or a collaborative genius? Or both?

Thanks for reading.

Please share and comment below, and do let me know how I can help.