#5 - Innovation Theater and the Lone Genius

Ever heard of “innovation theater”? In today’s Honeypot Podcast episode, we dive deep into this concept and explore why some organizations are only pretending to innovate—while others actually drive meaningful change.

Tune in with Alexander Wennerberg and Fredrik Heghammar as we discuss how to move beyond showmanship and focus on real results.

✅ Why Innovation Efforts Often Fall Short

Not all innovation initiatives are created equal. We explore the idea of “innovation theater” and why it’s important to recognize when innovation efforts are more about perception than performance.

✅ The Problems with Innovation Labs

Are innovation labs really driving change, or are they often detached from the organization’s core? Alexander and Fredrik debate the benefits and limitations of these initiatives and how they often fail to create tangible impact.

✅ The Power of Diverse Teams

Citing studies from Harvard’s Lee Fleming, we talk about how diverse teams might fail more often but are also more likely to hit those breakthrough ideas. The myth of the “lone genius” is just that—a myth!

✅ Learning from Henry Ford & Steve Jobs

If Ford had simply asked what people wanted, they would’ve asked for faster horses. Instead, we talk about how shifting the focus from products to problems can lead to more innovative solutions.

✅ Finding the Balance Between Diverse Inputs & Focused Action

While asking everyone all the time isn’t practical, blending individual expertise with fresh perspectives can help shape better solutions. How can you balance feedback with decisive action?

Timestamps: 00:41 - Why Innovation Efforts Often Fall Short

02:56 - The Problems with Innovation Labs

07:06 - The Power of Diverse Teams

16:44 - Learning from Henry Ford & Steve Jobs

18:50 - Finding the Balance Between Diverse Inputs & Focused Action

👉 Whether you’re a business developer, innovator, or simply interested in the mechanics of change, this episode has something for you. And if you're looking for a tool to help you go beyond innovation theater and actually capture, manage, and prioritize ideas, check out Hives.co—where everyone’s voice can be heard, from the C-suite to the shop floor.