Podd: The Innovation Show

Eugene Ivanov and Andrew Binns - Corporate Explorer Fieldbook Finale

20 december 2024 | 25 min

Charles Handy R.I.P. (1932–2024)

17 december 2024 | 68 min

Steve Kerr - Reward Systems Part 2

14 december 2024 | 43 min

Steve Kerr - Reward Systems: Does Yours Measure Up?

11 december 2024 | 23 min

The Heart of Science Engineering Blueprint with 3M's Jayshree Seth

7 december 2024 | 58 min

AI Wars Echoes of Past Tech Battles in the Race for Dominance

4 december 2024 | 15 min

The AI Battle Mirrors Past Format Wars

“History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.” — Mark Twain

[TLDR: This week’s Thursday Thought explores the ongoing battle for AI dominance among tech giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, X, Google, and Microsoft, drawing parallels to historic format wars that have shaped various industries. From the iconic VHS vs. Betamax struggle to the intense competition between gaming consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo, and the enduring rivalry between iPhone and Android, these conflicts reveal a recurring pattern. As AI companies follow similar paths, it’s clear that, while technology evolves, the strategic dynamics remain strikingly similar.]

The current battle for dominance between tech giants like OpenAI, Google, Anthropic and Microsoft is not just a race to the top — it’s a modern-day format war. By examining the patterns of previous technology battles, we can gain insight into how this AI competition is likely to play out.

Three key patterns emerge from past format battles that are now being mirrored in the AI space:

The Power of Network Effects: Just like previous format wars, the AI battle will be heavily influenced by network effects. (A network effect occurs when a product or service becomes more valuable as more people use it, creating a positive feedback loop that can lead to rapid growth and market dominance.)
The Underdog Advantage: History has shown that the winner is often not the one everyone expects — not the biggest company or even the best product. Early market leaders may fall behind as more adaptable or better-networked competitors take the lead.
Ecosystem Building is Key: The final battleground is not just the technology itself, but the entire ecosystem built around it. Companies that successfully create a thriving ecosystem of developers, partners, and content will probably emerge as the ultimate winners.

To understand these dynamics better, let’s revisit three strategic battles that shaped the technology landscape: the VCR format war, the console wars, and the smartphone OS wars. Each of these battles offers valuable lessons for understanding the current AI competition.

The VCR War: A Template for Format Battles

(The also-rans in the VCR war (that I know of) included Philips and Grundig’s Video 2000 (V2000), and RCA’s Capacitance Electronic Disc (CED).

The videotape format war between VHS and Betamax in the late 20th century stands as one of the most emblematic battles over technological dominance. Introduced in the mid-1970s, Sony’s Betamax initially captivated the market with its superior video quality and compact design. However, JVC’s VHS, which entered the market shortly after, quickly emerged as a formidable competitor by addressing consumer needs more effectively with longer recording times — up to two hours initially, which was soon extended to four, six, and even eight hours as the technology developed.

The success of VHS was not solely because of its technical merits. JVC employed a strategic approach by licensing its VHS technology to an array of manufacturers, including heavyweights like Panasonic, Sharp, and RCA. This move flooded the market with VHS players, making the format more accessible to the average consumer. To further tip the scale in their favour, during the mid-1970s JVC established VCR supply relationships with leading national consumer electronics companies in Europe and the United States. In supplying Thomson, Thorn, and Telefunken (all independent companies at that time) as well as U.S. partners, JVC was able to gain the cash and the diversity of market experience that ultimately enabled it to outpace Philips and Sony.

Philips developed videotape competencies in parallel with JVC, but it failed to build a worldwide network of OEM relationships that would have allowed it to accelerate the refinement of its videotape competence through the sale of core products.

According to an article from Legacybox, by the mid-1980s, VHS had achieved a 60% market share in the U.S., with over 30 million homes owning a VHS player.

Hollywood’s role in this battle was also pivotal. Movie studios, recognising the growing popularity of VHS, began releasing their films primarily on this format. Movie studios partly influenced this decision because VHS tapes could hold entire movies without requiring multiple tapes — a common issue with the shorter Betamax tapes. Video rental stores like Blockbuster overwhelmingly supported VHS because of its broader availability and the convenience of longer playtimes. A self-perpetuating cycle emerged — a classic example of a network effect: the increased availability of content on VHS led to higher consumer demand for VHS players, which further solidified the format’s dominance.

The death blow for Betamax occurred when RCA, one of the largest electronics companies in the United States, backed VHS. RCA’s decision, coupled with a strong marketing push, helped VHS capture an even larger share of the market. By the late 1980s, despite Betamax’s technical superiority, Sony had to concede defeat. Sony eventually began producing VHS players, marking the end of the format war.

The Console Wars: The Battle for Gamers’ Hearts

The console wars between Sony’s PlayStation, Microsoft’s Xbox, and Nintendo highlight how the best product doesn’t always win. Sony’s PlayStation and Microsoft’s Xbox fought fiercely over processing power and exclusive titles, but Nintendo carved out its niche with innovative gameplay and a focus on casual gamers. Each company’s success depended not only on the hardware but also on the ecosystem of games and online services they built.(Also rans, I know of included: Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Atari Jaguar, and NEC TurboGrafx-16).

In the wake of the VCR format war, the gaming industry experienced its own version of a format battle, known as the console wars. This battle, primarily between Sony’s PlayStation, Microsoft’s Xbox, and Nintendo, has defined the gaming industry for decades. Each of these companies has sought to establish its console as the dominant platform, employing strategies that echo the VHS-Betamax rivalry.

Sony entered the gaming market in 1994 with the PlayStation, which quickly became a dominant force because of its powerful hardware and an extensive library of exclusive games. Titles like “Final Fantasy” and “Gran Turismo” attracted millions of gamers to the PlayStation ecosystem, establishing Sony as a leader in the industry.

Microsoft joined the fray in 2001 with the launch of the Xbox. The Xbox was innovative with its built-in storage and the introduction of Xbox Live, a comprehensive online gaming service that revolutionised multiplayer gaming. Microsoft also secured the exclusive rights to “Halo,” which became a defining franchise for the console and significantly boosted its popularity.

Nintendo, a veteran in the gaming industry, pursued a different path. While Sony and Microsoft competed on hardware performance and exclusive titles, Nintendo focused on creating unique gaming experiences. The Nintendo 64 and GameCube had their own dedicated followings, but it was the Wii, launched in 2006, that truly set Nintendo apart. The Wii’s innovative motion controls and broad appeal to casual gamers made it a global phenomenon, outselling both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in several markets.

The console wars mirror the VHS-Betamax battle in that the competition wasn’t just about selling hardware; it was about creating a compelling ecosystem. Sony and Microsoft invested heavily in securing exclusive games, building online communities, and expanding their platforms. Meanwhile, Nintendo focused on innovation in gameplay, drawing in a diverse audience that included non-traditional gamers.

The Smartphone Wars: iPhone vs. Android

(The smartphone OS wars, primarily between Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android, show the power of ecosystem building. Apple’s closed, tightly integrated ecosystem appeals to a loyal base, while Android’s open platform and wide availability have made it the dominant mobile OS worldwide. This battle underscores how creating a broad and adaptable ecosystem can lead to long-term dominance.)

(Also rans included: BlackBerry OS, Windows Mobile/Windows Phone, Symbian, Palm OS/Garnet OS/webOS, and Tizen).

The smartphone industry has also witnessed a fierce format war, this time between Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android (also rans included Nokia’s Symbian). Apple revolutionized the mobile phone market in 2007 with the launch of the iPhone, which combined sleek design, intuitive touch controls, and an app ecosystem that redefined what a smartphone could be. The iPhone quickly became a status symbol and set the standard for mobile devices.

Google’s Android, launched shortly after, took a different approach. Rather than producing its own hardware, Google made Android an open-source operating system that could be used by any manufacturer. This strategy led to a flood of Android devices from companies like Samsung, LG, and Motorola, covering a wide range of price points and appealing to a broad audience.

Much like VHS, Android’s strategy of widespread availability helped it capture significant market share. By offering a variety of devices at different price points, Android became the dominant mobile platform worldwide, despite Apple’s continued success with the iPhone in the premium segment.

The iPhone vs. Android battle still rages on, with each platform boasting its own loyal following, exclusive apps, and unique features. Apple’s closed ecosystem allows for tight integration and a seamless user experience, while Android’s open platform offers more flexibility and customisation, catering to a diverse range of users.

The AI Wars: Following a Familiar Pattern

The key players in the AI format war include OpenAI (GPT series), Google(Bard), Microsoft (Copilot and Azure AI), Anthropic (Claude), Meta (LLaMA series), and Elon Musk’s xAI , which includes several engineers who previously worked at OpenAI.

Now, as we watch the AI giants battle it out, familiar patterns from past technology wars are emerging. OpenAI’s GPT series first captured attention with its revolutionary language models, reminiscent of how Betamax had an early advantage in the VCR wars. However, Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s AI, deeply integrated into their expansive ecosystems, are gaining significant momentum by offering broader applications and seamless integration across platforms, much like how VHS expanded its reach through strategic licensing and partnerships.

Just as JVC licensed VHS to multiple manufacturers, AI companies today are aggressively expanding their reach through partnerships, developer support, and widespread accessibility. For example, Microsoft has strategically integrated its AI models across its software suite (e.g., Copilot in Microsoft 365) and through its Azure AI platform, making it easier for businesses to adopt and integrate AI into their operations. Similarly, OpenAI has partnered with major platforms like ChatGPT and various APIs, encouraging developers to build on top of its models, thereby driving adoption and entrenching their platforms as potential industry standards.

These companies are not just building AI models — they are creating vast ecosystems where businesses and developers can build upon their AI technologies. For instance, Meta’s LLaMA series, though primarily research-focused, aims to foster an open AI research community that can contribute to and expand its capabilities, positioning Meta to influence AI’s future directions.

As more businesses adopt these AI technologies, a feedback loop of innovation and usage is forming — just as it did with VHS. The more widespread the adoption, the more developers and companies are incentivised to build on these platforms, further solidifying their dominance. This cycle not only accelerates innovation but also entrenches these platforms in the market, making them more difficult to displace. The outcome of this battle will likely shape the future landscape of AI, much like VHS shaped the video industry, determining which platforms become the standards and which fall by the wayside.

History Doesn’t Repeat, But It Rhymes

As the AI battle unfolds, it’s clear that the strategies that determined past technology winners are still at play. The power of network effects, the advantage of underdogs, and the importance of building a comprehensive ecosystem are as relevant today as they were in the past. In the end, the winner of the AI wars will be the company that understands these lessons and applies them most effectively.

The future of technology isn’t just about who has the best idea — it’s about who can bring that idea to the most people in the most powerful way. Interesting times awAIt.

Build your own Business and Personal Network by joining us at The Reinvention Summit next April 2025. We have a vast array of networks and communities joining us in Dublin on April 29th and 30th along with a stellar lineup of previous guests and friends of The Innovation Show.

Speaking of which, the latest episode of the show feature three forthcoming guests who will be speaking at The Reinvention Summit, Alexander Osterwalder, Rita McGrath and Ryan Shanks. We explore the Future of Consulting in an Age of Ai.

Gold Crushes Ants Ill-Fitting Robes and Disruptions Power Redistribution

29 november 2024 | 13 min

Gold Crushes Ants, Ill-Fitting Robes and Disruption's Power Redistribution

Aidan McCullen: [00:00:00] Gold Crushes Ants, Ill-Fitting Robes and The Power Redistribution of Disruption.

Just a brief reminder of what this episode is in case you have not heard it before.. Each week I write a newsletter called The Thursday Thought. For years, listeners to the Innovation Show have asked me to narrate it. I never had enough time. So today, I am using AI. I have cloned my voice. It is not perfect, but it saves me hours of effort.

For those who want the short version. Here is a paragraph: Disruption redistributes organisational power, information and status. As Machiavelli noted, those in power dislike such change. However, there is a twist to this week’s Thursday Thought. Sometimes, the new-found power does not sit well with those who inherit it, to their detriment and to that of the organisation. Gold Crushes Ants!

Let's begin with a quote by Plato from "The Republic."

Plato wrote:

"But when the cobbler or any other man [00:01:00] whom nature designed to be a trader, having his heart lifted up by wealth or strength or the number of his followers, or any like advantage, attempts to force his way into the class of warriors, or a warrior into that of legislators and guardians, for which he is unfitted, and either to take the implements or the duties of the other; or when one man is trader, legislator, and warrior all in one, then I think you will agree with me in saying that this interchange and this meddling of one with another is the ruin of the State."

This passage from Plato's The Republic expresses the idea that societal roles should be distinct and specialised to ensure the stability and well-being of the state. Plato argues that each individual has a natural aptitude and should perform the role suited to their abilities. The cobbler (a metaphor for any tradesperson), the warrior, and the legislator/guardian represent different classes in society.

Plato believes that problems arise when individuals try to take on roles for which they are [00:02:00] not naturally suited or when they attempt to accumulate power by combining multiple roles. For example, if a cobbler tries to become a warrior or a warrior tries to become a legislator, it disrupts the social order and leads to chaos and ruin. This concept is part of Plato's broader vision of a just society, where everyone contributes according to their strengths and society functions smoothly as a result.

The Power Shift.

Let's take for example, the significant shift in power that occurred in many organisations due to the advent of digital technology. The rise of roles such as heads of digital, data, AI and E.S.G. transformed traditional industries, from media companies to physical retailers. These new roles require a different set of skills, mindsets and perspectives, often leading to friction within long-held hierarchies.

In many traditional organisations, digital leaders face resistance similar to what Plato described. Established professionals, [00:03:00] akin to the warriors and legislators in The Republic, often see these newcomers as threats to their traditional roles and authority. This resistance can be rooted in a fear of obsolescence or a reluctance to adapt to new methods and technologies.

For instance, the introduction of digital journalism revealed how technology can challenge the conventional roles within a newsroom. It changes the "speed to market", it raises concerns about traditional journalists and the changing nature of editorial control.

This works both ways, where new power dynamics can lead to tensions when digital leaders overstep their bounds or when their innovations disrupt the status quo too abruptly. All of a sudden, their importance leads to ego problems.

Gold Crushes Ants: The Gradual Path to Power and Responsibility.

“If you give a ton of gold to an ant, it will only crush the ant.” — Sadguru

There’s a profound parable shared by Sadguru about a lion with the heart of a mouse, [00:04:00] it went something like this…

There was once a compassionate sage. One day while searching his home, the sage uncovered a mother and five baby mice. Terrified, the mother ran away, leaving the baby mice. The kind sage fed the babies with some grain. One day a cat came and devoured four of the mice, but one escaped. The old man continued to feed and care for the last baby mouse. The cat came back to finish the job and eat the last mouse, but the sage chased her away. Every time the sage closed his eyes to meditate, the wily cat came back. Eventually, the sage reasoned that this was not sustainable and he could not always protect the cat, so he had an idea.

He used his magical powers to turn the baby mouse into a fierce cat. The idea worked and the cat never came back. However, a wild dog soon discovered there was a tasty cat living with the sage and hung around waiting for an opportunity for a tasty meal. Once again, the [00:05:00] sage thought to himself, this is so inconvenient. Once again the sage used his powers and changed the cat, who was once a mouse, into a dog. Again, it worked, but only for a while.

One day, the dog ran home with his tail between his legs. The sage looked out to see that a large panther had been hunting the dog. After chasing the panther away, the sage sat down and thought. This was becoming too troublesome. He had an idea and used his powers one last time. He turned the dog into a lion — after all — a lion is the king of the jungle.

Now, when the lion — who was a mouse, then a cat, and then a dog — roamed through the jungle, all the other animals ran away in fear. However, the lion went through a constant internal struggle. Knowing he was a lion with the heart of a mouse, he thought to himself.

“What if the other animals find out that deep down I am just a mouse? What will they do to me?” The lion realised. The only other person in the world [00:06:00] who knows he is a mouse is the sage, so he had an idea. The lion returned home to the sage, intending to kill him. The savvy sage realised what the lion was about to do and apologised to the mouse inside the lion, saying it was wrong of him to change him. And so, the sage turned him back into a mouse.

So what is the moral of the story?

It is natural for a cat to chase a mouse, for a dog to chase a cat, for a panther to chase a dog. If you give them a position far beyond their capabilities for that position, it will bring misery to them and to the person who gave them the position.

Whenever we place someone in a position beyond their abilities, it can rack them with insecurity, fear and doubt. In an organisation, power can poison talented people. They may suspect that others will doubt their abilities, they will fear that others will find them out.

It happens with Innovation roles all the time. The organisation feels it should reward tenure and “gifts” an Innovation [00:07:00] Director or other "newly minted" role to executives who do not have transformation or innovation in their DNA.

It happens in family-owned organisations because of nepotism. The family member then reigns terror throughout the organisation, sometimes undoing decades of significant cultural work laid down by previous generations.

When we gift opportunities to others when they have not earned those opportunities, it rarely works out well. It is not about depriving the giver or the receiver; it is about the struggle and the rite of passage.

This concept is particularly relevant today, where new roles—like Head of Digital, Head of Innovation, or Head of Data—are created to meet the demands of rapidly changing organisations. While those filling these positions often possess technical expertise, they may lack the leadership skills and political acumen required to navigate complex corporate environments. This leads to a profound mismatch between the role and the person, where the weight of responsibility [00:08:00] becomes crushing.

The lion’s predicament is a metaphor for many modern professionals who find themselves thrust into positions of leadership. They have the title and the technical skills, but they haven’t developed the “muscle” to manage the power and responsibility that comes with the role. Just like the lion’s external strength hides its inner fragility, these professionals can struggle to wield their new authority.

The Physiology of Building Strength.

Building leadership capacity is much like developing physical strength. When muscles grow too quickly—often through artificial means like anabolic steroids—tendons and ligaments don’t have time to catch up with muscle growth. This creates an imbalance, increasing the risk of injury. The tendons can rupture because they’re not strong enough to support the rapidly growing muscles.

In the same way, individuals promoted too quickly may lack the "connective tissue" of leadership skills, such as emotional intelligence, political savvy, and strategic thinking. [00:09:00] These are the tendons that allow people to support the heavier loads of responsibility that come with leadership. Without developing these critical soft skills, individuals risk being crushed by the demands of their new roles, just as tendons snap under the weight of artificially strengthened muscles.

Organisations are complex ecosystems with intricate power dynamics, unspoken norms, and political undercurrents. New leaders, especially those in innovative or transformative roles, often find themselves in an organisational maze of competing interests and hidden agendas. Without prior coaching or development in leadership and political navigation, they may struggle to implement their visions.

The Danger of Ill-Fitting “Robes”

This theme echoes Shakespeare’s Macbeth, where the protagonist says: “Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?” (*Macbeth*, Act 1, Scene 3). The quote reflects how newly bestowed titles, roles, or responsibilities can feel like ill-fitting garments, [00:10:00] overwhelming the person wearing them. These “borrowed robes” serve as a symbol of unearned power—something that feels uncomfortable and burdensome until the person grows into it. Just like gold crushing ants, power and authority, if given too soon or too suddenly, can overwhelm individuals who have not yet built the necessary inner strength to bear them.

When individuals fail to develop the necessary leadership skills before stepping into senior roles, they risk being overwhelmed by the very responsibilities they seek. Like Macbeth in his ill-fitting robes, they find the weight of their new titles to be uncomfortable and burdensome. Without gradual preparation, the responsibilities of leadership can become too heavy, leading to burnout, failure, or organisational stagnation.

This is especially true for roles involving innovation or transformation, where the political landscape is often more complex. These leaders need more than just technical expertise; they must develop the [00:11:00] ability to navigate power dynamics, influence others, and build coalitions.

Conclusion: Empowering Leaders to Carry Gold.

“Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility. “ — Peter Drucker

The wisdom of "gold crushes ants" serves as a powerful reminder that value and responsibility come with weight. To carry gold—or any significant power—requires strength built over time. Organisations must not only recognize the necessity of new roles like Head of Innovation or Head of Digital but also provide the pathways for individuals to develop the requisite leadership capabilities.

For individuals stepping into these roles, acknowledging the need for personal growth and seeking out development opportunities and coaching is crucial. Building the internal "muscle" to handle power involves embracing challenges, learning from failures, and cultivating resilience.

In a world where the pace of change is relentless, [00:12:00] organisations cannot afford to have their transformative efforts hampered by unprepared leadership. Former guest on The Innovation Show, Derek van Beaver calls this building the bench, Paul Nunes refers to it as the capability S-curve. By investing in the gradual and holistic development of their leaders, they ensure that when the time comes to carry the weight of gold, their people are not crushed but rather stand strong and capable.

Empowerment is a journey, not a sudden leap.

The END.

Forthcoming episodes of the Innovation show include:

Seth Godin.

Henry Mintzberg.

Jayshree Seth.

Steve Kerr.

Julia DiGangi.

Paul Nunes and Ian Morrison.

Stan Deetz Part 3.

Byron Reese.

And many more.

Until next week. [00:13:00]

Rita McGrath, Alex Osterwalder and Ryan Shanks - The Future of Consulting in an Age of Ai

27 november 2024 | 52 min

AI Transforming Consulting: Strategies, Ethics, and the Future

The world of consulting is experiencing a seismic shift, largely driven by AI. In this episode, we are joined by Ryan Shanks (Head of Innovation for Accenture EMEA), Alex Osterwalder (CEO of Strategyzer), and Rita McGrath (Columbia Professor, Author and Founder of Valize). They discuss the traditional consulting model, the impact AI has on roles within consulting, and the broader implications on the industry and society. They also delve into the importance of human skills, the evolving business models, the significance of trust in digital transformation, and the shifting landscape of organizational structures and career paths. A must-watch for anyone involved in or interested in the consulting sector.

00:00 Introduction to the Changing World of Consulting

00:40 Traditional Consulting Models and Their Evolution

02:01 Impact of AI on Consulting Roles

02:28 Building and Hiring in the New Consulting Landscape

03:23 AI's Role in Transforming Business Models

05:18 Real-World Examples of AI Integration

14:09 The Need for Continuous Reinvention

18:28 Outcome-Based Consulting and Ethical Dilemmas

24:46 Future of Consulting: Marketplaces and Ecosystems

26:35 The Rise of Small AI-Driven Firms

27:23 Impact on Education and Hiring

28:35 Human Skills in the Age of AI

30:22 Trust and Ethics in AI

31:36 Adapting to Rapid Change

32:53 The Role of Human Sciences

36:09 The Future of Work and AI

43:16 Leadership and Governance Challenges

46:10 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Find Rita: https://www.valize.com

Find Alex: https://www.strategyzer.com

Find Ryan: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/ryanmartinshanks

Find The Reinvention Summit: https://www.thereinventionsummit.com

Innovation, AI, Consulting, Business Strategy, Digital Transformation, Reinvention, Change Management, Future of Work, Organisational Culture, Emerging Trends, Rita McGrath, Alex Osterwalder, Ryan Shanks, Strategic Inflection Points, Ecosystem Thinking, Entrepreneurship, Human-Centric Design, Technology Disruption, Leadership, Continuous Reinvention

Garvan Callan - Digital Business Strategy

23 november 2024 | 58 min

Garvan Callan - Unlocking Digital Transformation

Join us for an enlightening episode as Aidan McCullen welcomes Garvan Callan, author of 'Digital Business Strategy,' to the Innovation Show. They delve deep into the essence of digital transformation, from defining digitization and digitalization, to exploring the importance of building digital businesses with customer-centric strategies. Gain valuable knowledge on how to reimagine organizational frameworks, harness new technologies, and cultivate a culture of perpetual innovation. Learn practical frameworks, case studies, and leadership approaches essential for thriving in the digital age. Don't miss this comprehensive discussion on staying ahead in an ever-evolving technological landscape.

00:00 Promo for The Reinvention Summit

00:29 Welcoming Garvan Callan

01:11 Origins of Digital Transformation

02:35 Understanding Digitization vs. Digitalization

04:46 The Digital Business Landscape

08:54 Customer-Centric Digital Strategies

14:04 The E Plus One Experience

17:12 Digital 360 Framework

22:54 Challenges of Digital Transformation

28:47 Building Strategy: Efficiency and Simplification

29:40 The Spin Out Syndrome and Simplification Journey

32:27 The Phoenix Metaphor and Organizational Resistance

33:11 The Spider Web Analogy and Data Challenges

34:28 Adapting Strategy for Rapid Change

35:14 Scaling Up: Challenges and Recalibration

37:25 The Agile Organization and Breaking Silos

41:07 Open Business Models and Technological Integration

45:16 Risk Management in Agile and Fluid Organizations

49:05 The Waltzer Effect: Combining Technologies for Change

53:21 The Culture Iceberg: Values and Beliefs

56:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Find Garvan here: https://onezero1.ie

The Reinvention Summit; https://www.thereinventionsummit.com

digital transformation, business strategy, digital innovation, future-proofing, digital age, Reinvention Summit, innovation, workshops, digital business, media company, digitalization, digitization, digital frameworks, digital execution, customer centricity, digital definition, digital processes, competitive advantage, leadership, organizational culture

The Harmony of Ra and Horus: Bridging Exploit and Explore

21 november 2024 | 5 min

The Harmony of Ra and Horus: Bridging Exploit and Explore

F Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”

In times of turbulence, leaders must balance the two opposing ideas of exploit and explore.

Ra and Horus, two pivotal figures in Egyptian mythology, symbolise the dual forces of power and intuition, rationality and creativity. Together as Ra-Horakhty, they embody a unification of opposites. In organisational terms, this metaphor captures the balance between exploitation — the optimisation of current capabilities — and exploration — the pursuit of new possibilities. Inspired by my recent conversation with Mike Tushman and Charles O’Reilly and James March’s seminal work on organisational learning, this post explores how integrating these dual forces fosters ambidexterity, enabling organisations to thrive in both the present and the future.

Ra: The Organisational Force of Exploitation

In mythology, Ra is the sun god, embodying power, creation, and rationality. He represents the structured, predictable cycle of the sun, providing stability and light. In organisations, Ra reflects the principles of exploitation, ensuring that current strengths are refined and utilised to their fullest potential.

Organisational Ra includes:

Execution and Strategy: Teams that deliver results through clear processes and focused strategies.

Operational Efficiency: Optimisation of resources, ensuring stability and short-term profitability.

Leadership and Structure: Leaders who prioritise alignment with organisational goals and mitigate risk.

Ra aligns with the conscious mind, driving focus, clarity, and execution. However, organisations overly reliant on Ra risk stagnation, becoming trapped in suboptimal routines that limit innovation.

Horus: The Organisational Force of Exploration

The Eye of Horus symbolises protection, health, and restoration in ancient Egypt. According to myth, Horus lost his left eye in a battle with Seth, and it was magically restored by Hathor. This restoration came to symbolise healing and the process of becoming whole. Horus, the falcon-headed god, represents creativity and vision, capturing the spirit of exploration and long-term growth.

Organisational Horus includes:

Innovation and Creativity: Teams that explore bold ideas, embrace uncertainty, and foster breakthroughs.

Empathy and Culture: Efforts that nurture human-centred design and foster a supportive organisational culture.

Long-Term Vision: Leadership that anticipates future challenges and invests in experimentation.

Horus represents the subconscious mind, fostering emotional intelligence and adaptability. However, without Ra’s structure, organisations driven solely by Horus risk lacking focus and direction.

Ra-Horakhty: Uniting Exploitation and Exploration

In Egyptian mythology, Ra-Horakhty — “Ra, who is Horus of the Two Horizons” — represents the unification of these complementary forces. The rising sun (Horus) and the setting sun (Ra) reflect a cyclical harmony, where opposites merge to create a greater whole.

In organisations, Ra-Horakhty serves as a metaphor for ambidexterity — the ability to balance exploitation (Ra) with exploration (Horus). This balance is essential for thriving in both stable and volatile environments.

Organisational Ra-Horakhty includes:

Unified Leadership: Leaders who can integrate operational efficiency with visionary strategy.

Ambidextrous Teams: Structures that enable both incremental improvements and bold innovations.

Cultural Harmony: A mindset that values both stability and adaptability, blending logic with creativity.

The Balance Between Exploitation and Exploration

Scholars like James March, Tushman, O’Reilly and Binns highlights the organisational challenge of balancing exploitation and exploration:

Exploitation: Refining current capabilities to maximise short-term gains.

Exploration: Pursuing new opportunities, which are uncertain but critical for long-term success.

These opposing forces compete for resources, and organisations often lean too heavily on exploitation due to its immediate, predictable returns. However, this focus risks neglecting exploration, leading to long-term stagnation.

Achieving the right balance involves recognising the distinct yet interdependent nature of these forces. Just as Ra and Horus come together as Ra-Horakhty, organisations must integrate exploitation and exploration to create a cohesive, adaptive strategy.

Harmony is not the absence of opposites but the unification of their purpose.

Until next week!

Michael Tushman and Charles O'Reilly - Mastering Ambidexterity: Core And Explore

15 november 2024 | 19 min

Technological Taylorism: How Modern AI is Reshaping the Future of Work

13 november 2024 | 11 min

Technological Taylorism: How Modern AI is Reshaping the Future of Work

In this episode, we delve into the concept of Technological Taylorism and how the advent of AI and automation is restructuring the workforce. We revisit Frederick Taylor’s principles of scientific management and examine their relevance in today's job market. The discussion covers the rise in workplace surveillance, the transformation of jobs into piecemeal tasks, and the increasing vulnerability of freelance and middle management roles. The episode also explores the larger implications of AI on job creation, economic growth, and the potential for a technological singularity. Featuring insights from experts like Paul Daugherty and Yossi Sheffi, this thought-provoking discussion questions the future of labor in an efficient, data-driven world.

00:00 Introduction: Technological Taylorism and the Future of Work 00:32 The Legacy of Frederick Taylor's Scientific Management 01:31 Modern Workforce Surveillance and AI 03:04 The Rise of Freelancers and Automation 05:39 Creative Destruction in the Digital Age 08:13 The Future of Work: Concerns and Predictions 10:24 Conclusion: Human + Machine Paradigm

Technological Taylorism: The Automation of Efficiency and the Future of Work

The philosopher and media theorist Marshall McLuhan contends that "we shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us", The idea suggests that we create and adapt to technologies. These technologies, in turn, shape our behaviours, perceptions, and ultimately, our societies. This goes for any technology from the stopwatch to the advanced artificial intelligence.

I hope I am wrong...

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Frederick Taylor introduced a management approach that would fundamentally change the industrial world. With tools as basic as a pen, ledger, and stopwatch, Taylor meticulously observed and recorded the activities of factory workers, aiming to enhance efficiency through what he termed "scientific management." This system dissected every action into its basic elements. Taylor's analysis led to the precise timing and reorganization of each task to maximize speed and efficiency. Initially, these changes led to significant productivity gains, but they also stripped workers of their autonomy and sense of craftsmanship. Understandably, Taylorism reduced skilled artisans to interchangeable cogs in a mechanized process.

Fast forward to today, and Taylor's shadow looms large over modern workforce management. Today's management practices have evolved to slice jobs into ever-smaller tasks. In 2019, The Wall Street Journal highlighted a significant shift towards workplace surveillance, labelling employees as "workforce data generators." This marked a new phase in management's scientific approach, now armed with AI-driven tools far beyond Taylor's stopwatch.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to remote work turbocharged the use of these surveillance tools. A 2021 study by Gartner revealed that the adoption of technologies like facial recognition among employers had doubled to 60% during the pandemic, with predictions of continued growth. This surge in monitoring tools reflects a crisis-induced rush towards greater control, reminiscent of Taylor's response to perceived inefficiencies.

The narrative has been that a surefire way to protect yourself in an age of AI is to have a complex, human job. However, when you really examine any complex job it is just a Gordian knot of simple tasks, tasks that can be cheese sliced apart. Consider, AI-powered project management software that eliminates middle management by automating tasks. Once it has unbundled jobs into tasks, it then assembles freelance teams. While these freelancers initially benefit, the software soon learns from their work, and gradually replaces them too.

Freelancers are increasingly becoming a significant part of the workforce. A 2022 study by Upwork found that 38% of Americans engaged in freelance work. However, much of this work often involves performing highly specific, repetitive tasks—essentially slicing off a narrow piece of a broader job. These tasks are precisely the kind most vulnerable to automation, leaving freelancers not only contributing to efficiency but also unknowingly putting their own livelihoods at risk as machines learn to replace their roles entirely.

This trend isn’t isolated. AI is transforming fields from journalism to radiology, steadily reducing human roles. Taylor’s stopwatch has become the algorithm, and while efficiency soars, the impact on workers echoes the mechanised dehumanisation of Taylorism. This wave will impact computer and software programmers, data analysts, a host of media and marketing jobs, paralegals, financial advisors, consultants, and functional specialists in large organizations.

"One of the inevitable results of downsizing is plummeting employee morale. Employees have a hard time squaring all the talk about the importance of human capital with seemingly indiscriminate cutting. They are too often confronted with a lose-lose proposition: "If you don't become more efficient, you'll lose your job. By the way, if you do become more efficient, you'll lose your job." What employees hear is that they're the firm's most valuable assets; what they know is that they're the most expendable assets." - Gary Hamel

Middle managers and first-line employees might relate to the workers who built the pharaohs’ tombs. When pharaohs designed their tombs, they ensured that they would be so complex that no one could steal their treasures. Like Turkey's who discover the grim truth of Thanksgiving, tomb workers knew they’d be killed once the tomb was finished to protect its secrets. Imagine the pharaoh visiting the site and asking, “How’s it going? Almost done?” The workers, knowing their fate, would reply cautiously, “Not yet, still a few more years.” It’s no surprise these tombs were rarely finished in the pharaoh’s lifetime—and it’s equally unsurprising that employees during corporate restructuring hold back their full effort, unsure of their future.

Many workers today are machine teaching.

Creative Destruction in the Digital Age: A Jobs Paradox

"Masquerading under names like refocusing, delayering, decluttering, and right-sizing (one is tempted to ask why the "right" size is always smaller), restructuring always has the same result: fewer employees." - Gary Hamel

The shift from traditional industries to the digital age has redefined innovation and how success is measured. A key example is the metric of average revenue per employee (A. R. P. E.). For platform companies, A. R. P. E. has become a critical benchmark for stock analysts, showcasing efficiency and scalability. However, this focus highlights a troubling trend: fewer jobs are being created as industries evolve.

Historically, Joseph Schumpeter's concept of creative destruction explained how innovation disrupted old industries while simultaneously creating new ones. Railroads replaced canals, and automobiles displaced horse-drawn carriages—but these innovations also generated millions of new jobs. Innovation wasn’t just about efficiency; it was about ensuring economic growth that matched population expansion. Old companies served as compost for the new.

Today, that equation is shifting. Consider Blockbuster at its peak in 2004: the company employed 84,000 people and generated $6 billion in revenue. By the end of 2023, Netflix—a platform company that disrupted Blockbuster—earned $33.7 billion in revenue with only 13,000 employees.

While these examples showcase impressive efficiency, they also underscore a challenge: innovation in the information age isn’t creating enough jobs to offset those lost to disruption. Automation and AI is accelerating this trend, further decoupling economic growth from job creation.

Schumpeter’s creative destruction, once synonymous with progress and opportunity, now faces a new reality. Innovation increasingly creates platforms that enrich fewer workers, leaving economies to grapple with the widening gap between technological advancement and workforce demand. What was once a pathway to prosperity now threatens to undermine the balance between productivity and employment.

An Age-Old Concern

"This shift seems inevitable, but leaves so many Elephants in the Room that very few seem to be addressing. What happens the increasing populations? Is econonic and technological singularity a real threat? Is universal basic income the answer? Who monitors the Ai power shift and responsibility? Are governments equipped to answer these questions? Are we just waiting to see what will happen?" - From an article I wrote in 2016, called Frenem-Ais or Digging Our Own Graves?

Concerns about machines replacing human labour are nothing new. One of the earliest recorded instances occurred in 1589, when William Lee invented a mechanical knitting machine. Hoping to secure a patent, he sent a pair of machine-made black stockings to Queen Elizabeth the First. The queen rejected his request, citing fears that the invention would threaten jobs in the hand-knitting industry. This royal judgment highlights a centuries-old tension between technological advancement and its societal impact—a debate that continues to this day.

Our previous guest on The Innovation Show, the worlds leading expert on Supply Chain, Yossi Sheffiassured me that while these technologies will inevitably replace some of today’s jobs, they will also generate new tasks, roles, and opportunities. Moreover, despite the rise of automation, organisations will still rely on human expertise to design, oversee, and execute the vast array of activities that sustain the global economy’s supply chains. Yossi said we judge the future by using the past and that is why we cannot foresee future jobs.

I am deeply concerned about what will happen when AI not only surpasses the abilities of the best researchers and developers but exponentially outperforms them. Once we cross that threshold, we will reach a singularity—a pivotal moment when the rules of work, technological progress, and economic prosperity are fundamentally and permanently transformed.

On our latest episode of The Innovation Show, we are joined by the former Chief Innovation and Technology Officer for Accenture and the co-author (with H. James Wilson) of "Radically Human" and "Human + Machine", Paul Daugherty. Paul and James went to great lengths in their books to show how Human + machine will create a new paradigm for work and for what work means.

I opened this week's Thursday Thought by saying, I hope I am wrong . I still do.

Paul R. Daugherty - Radically Human

10 november 2024 | 69 min

The AI Dilemma: Struggle or Shortcuts

6 november 2024 | 9 min

Naomi S. Baron - Who Wrote This? How AI and the Lure of Efficiency Threaten Human Writing

31 oktober 2024 | 64 min

Navigating Change: The Hidden Scents, Sausages and Trip Wires

30 oktober 2024 | 12 min

In this week’s Thursday Thought, we explore the crucial role of 'Helpful Cassandras'—individuals with heightened perceptions of change within business environments. Drawing on analogies from nature, quotes from visionaries like Warren Buffet and Andy Grove, and the concept of 'Umwelt' by Jakob von Uexküll, we discuss how different sensory frameworks shape our understanding of market shifts and disruptions. The episode highlights the importance of recognizing and supporting these perceptive individuals to stay ahead of crises and seize new opportunities. Don't miss out on the launch of The Reinvention Summit, featuring a workshop led by Rita McGrath on early warnings and trend detection.

00:00 Introduction: Focus on the Playing Field

00:30 The Role of Helpful Cassandras

00:46 Developing Organizational Antennas

01:53 Understanding Umwelt in Business

03:14 Rodents: Masters of Olfactory Perception

04:26 Economic Signals: Smelling the Sausage

06:45 The Cassandra Story: Andy Grove and the Helpful Cassandras

09:16 Embracing Early Warnings

10:51 Conclusion: Join The Reinvention Summit

https://www.thereinventionsummit.com

Article:

Navigating Change: The Hidden Scents, Sausages and Trip Wires

“Games are won by players who focus on the playing field - not by those whose eyes are glued to the scoreboard.” - Warren Buffet.

Just as different species perceive their environments in unique ways, individuals within a business environment experience and interpret the world around them through their subjective lenses. Some of these individuals—like modern-day Cassandras—are particularly attuned to early signs of change or disruption, but their warnings are often ignored. Using the analogy of rodents' heightened sense of smell, we explore how these Helpful Cassandras can guide companies away from crisis or towards new opportunities.yet are frequently overlooked. Embracing their foresight is crucial to navigating an uncertain future.

"The capacity of an organization to read its environment somewhere out there, which requires hiring some people whose sole job is to pay attention to the things that we're not paying attention to. If you think about any system, any [00:01:00] creature has only certain antennas. Which means that those antennas allow them to be in touch with this part of the world and not that part of the world. And they get in trouble when the world suddenly has something as a threat to them that they have no antennas for. So it's very important in an organization to develop the capacity here to have these kind of emergent antennas. And or to have at least parts of things that are paying attention to what people are not paying attention to, because, in most every case, when a crisis is coming, there are people who know nobody wants to listen to them because things are going well. And you certainly don't help your career by talking about them. So I think organizations, if they want to really be on the edge of things, have to build in as capacity here to surveil parts of environment. That it has not been paying very much attention to." - Stan Deetz, Innovation Show 559

Jakob von Uexküll was a pioneering biologist interested in how living beings perceive their environments. [00:02:00] He argued that organisms experience life through species-specific, subjective reference frames he called Umwelt (The German word for environment). Each species experiences the world through its own unique sensory lens. A tick, for instance, uses the smell of butyric acid to locate a mammalian host, while a star-nosed mole relies on touch to navigate underground. Despite sharing the same physical space, animals perceive their surroundings in vastly different ways. This idea of Umwelt applies not only to biology but also to how individuals in a business environment interpret signals of change.

In the business world, we each operate with different sensory frameworks. Some colleagues are tuned into technological advances, others are adept at sensing shifts in consumer behaviour, and some focus on regulatory or financial changes. Like animals in nature, they have adapted to perceive the same "business environment" in their own distinct ways. These [00:03:00] individuals, with their heightened perception, act like von Uexküll’s animals—sensing things others might not. This diversity of perception is invaluable, yet, much like in nature, it is often underestimated.

Rodents: Masters of Olfactory Perception

The world of a rodent is defined by smell in a way humans can never fully understand. With around 1,200 functional olfactory receptors compared to the 400 that humans possess, rodents can detect a vast range of smells and subtle environmental shifts long before we ever would. Their survival relies on this heightened sense of smell, enabling them to find food, avoid predators, and navigate their world with precision. They have adapted for their unique experience of the world and this adaptation, in turn, influences how they experience the world.

In business, there are people who, like rodents, possess a refined ability to detect changes in the "scent" of their environment. They can sense market [00:04:00] shifts, disruptions, or emerging opportunities earlier than others. But like rodents—often overlooked or even reviled in society—these individuals’ warnings can go unheeded. Their insights, though crucial for the survival of the business, are too often dismissed by those who don't perceive the same signals. (Like rats leaving a sinking ship, perhaps it is why your best people are first to leave a declining organisation.)

Smelling the Sausage: Diverse Signals

"The future is already here – it's just not evenly distributed." - William Gibson

As economies grow, people tend to consume higher quality meat. This a trend linked to rising incomes and a desire for higher-quality diets. Western countries have traditionally led this trend, and now emerging markets are following suit. For instance, China’s per capita meat consumption rose nearly 13 percent between 2008 and 2017, with the country now accounting for over a [00:05:00] quarter of the world’s total meat consumption. As nations grow wealthier, meat consumption often symbolizes status and prosperity. However, recent shifts in American consumer behavior are signaling a different economic reality.

Texas business leaders in the food and manufacturing industries are noting signs of strain, including rising agricultural costs and weakening demand for higher-end products. As inflation rises, many consumers are opting for more affordable proteins like sausage, a pattern that often intensifies during economic downturns. This small shift in food choices, while seemingly minor, is part of a larger picture of household financial strain.

Other signals from consumer credit data suggest that Americans may be nearing their financial limits. Federal Reserve data reveals that revolving credit—primarily credit card debt—contracted in June for the second time in three months. Consumer debt growth slowed. With credit card [00:06:00] interest rates averaging a record 20.73 percent and some reaching as high as 28 percent, financial pressures are mounting. Notably, 9.1 percent of credit card balances have transitioned to delinquency in the past year.

Taken together, these subtle yet cumulative signals—rising demand for budget proteins, slowing consumer debt growth, and increased delinquency rates—paint a picture of economic strain. By shifting focus from immediate gains to early warnings, companies can better adapt to the “playing field” of consumer behaviour rather than relying solely on the “scoreboard” of broad economic headlines. As always there are always Cassandras crying wolf, but very few listen.

The Cassandra Story: Andy Grove and the Helpful Cassandras

"It is extremely important to be able to listen to the people who bring you bad news and who are typically divided... These people tend to be lower level people. They have to bring you bad [00:07:00]news and be Cassandras against the senior management, against the fear of management of repercussions. Unless you deal with this fear, unless you live this fear you will never hear from those helpful Cassandras and you are going to be late in responding to the Strategic Inflection Points." - Andy Grove, Former CEO Intel.

This phenomenon of foresight being ignored is embodied by the story of the ancient Greek prophet Cassandra, who was cursed to predict the future accurately, but never be believed. In the modern world, Andy Grove, the visionary CEO of Intel, was famously paranoid about market changes, often sensing disruption long before his competitors. Grove's book "Only the Paranoid Survive" reflects on detecting early signs of threats or opportunities.

Despite their ability to foresee change, most helpful Cassandras are often ridiculed, ignored, gaslit or even pushed out. Their warnings can seem exaggerated or irrelevant to those focused on short-term gains [00:08:00] or immediate goals. As Stan Deetz tells us on the Innovation Show, 559, "Most organizations I work with are deeply in trouble before they really talk about change. Because they keep thinking before that they can fix it. And part of that is deeply embedded in organizational life. Managers don't get a lot of support for telling people what's wrong. They get a lot of support for telling people what's right , and their ability to fix what's wrong. And, and so, you know, the organisation itself typically becomes, especially at the upper levels, quite out of touch with the growth of difficulty until it's at some kind of crisis point. And of course, once you're at a crisis point, we always forget that people change least well when they're scared. people do the greatest changes that are good when they're happy. And so what happens is that we're out of touch, we're out of touch, we're out of touch."

The story of Cassandras in business is a common one: these individuals, while sensing the dangers ahead, are marginalised [00:09:00] rather than embraced. They are perceived as naysayers rather than gainsayers, even when their insights could help companies avoid catastrophic failures. This tendency to ignore early warnings results in companies being blindsided by crises that could have been averted had they listened.

Instead of dismissing these voices, businesses should seek to identify and support their Helpful Cassandras. They need to create spaces for these individuals to be heard, and build processes—like setting clear "trip wires" or "kill criteria"—that allow for timely interventions when changes are detected.

In Seeing Around Corners, my friend and guest at The Reinvention Summit in April 2025, Rita McGrath suggests what she calls an early warnings exercise. It helps leaders take action on hidden scents and weak signals. The way it works is to specify a “time zero” event which is a potential future inflection point with either good news for you and your organisation or not such good news. [00:10:00] Then, working backward, you ask yourself “What would have to be true if this were becoming more likely?” Then, you work with your team to think about what action you would take if a combination of weak signals were to begin to come together in a compelling way – Rita calls this the process of establishing tripwires.

In a world where organizations often value success indicators over the subtle warnings of change, Helpful Cassandras challenge us to pay attention to the “playing field” of emerging threats and opportunities. By recognizing and supporting these voices, companies can avoid potential pitfalls and harness early warnings to stay ahead. Just as von Uexküll’s animals navigate their environments with unique sensory lenses, businesses must foster environments that value diverse perspectives, enabling them to act on weak signals before they reach crisis proportions.

Join us for the launch of The Reinvention Summit to detect subtle signals of change and to act on those signals. Get your tickets to not only [00:11:00] hear from experts like Rita McGrath, but to take part in a unique "Seeing around Corners" workshop and experience a Trend Party. This is not just a series of talking heads on a stage, it is about inspiration and action. Tickets are selling fast: www dot the reinvention summit dot com

Have a great week,

Aidan

Stan Deetz - Leading Organizations through Transition Part 2

26 oktober 2024 | 57 min

Build Before You Die: The Critical Need for Proactive Capability Building

23 oktober 2024 | 10 min

Stan Deetz - Leading Organizations through Transition: Communication and Cultural Change

18 oktober 2024 | 53 min

Stan Deetz - Transforming Organizational Culture: Insights and Strategies for Modern Success

In this comprehensive episode, we explore pivotal topics in organizational culture and change management with experts like Stanley Deetz. From understanding the role of communication in periods of transition and mergers to building resilience and effective leadership, our discussions cover a wide range of issues critical to the modern workplace. We delve into the historical shifts in corporate culture, the influence of Japanese practices on American companies, and the evolving mindsets driven by generational changes and Artificial Intelligence. Learn about the power of systems thinking and organic metaphors in fostering innovation and teamwork. Discover essential strategies for managing change, overcoming fear, and leveraging diversity for organizational success. Join us to gain profound insights and practical tools for navigating and transforming organizational culture.

00:00 Introduction to Organizational Culture and Change

01:07 Origins and Development of the Book

02:24 Understanding Organizational Culture

02:50 Seton Hall and Online Education

04:59 Navigating Organizational Change

05:48 Managing Hearts, Minds, and Souls

10:47 The Role of Conflict in Innovation

18:10 Historical Shifts in Corporate Culture

26:15 Internal Models vs. External Realities

26:51 Generational Shifts in Organizational Metaphors

29:06 Cultural Fragmentation and Countercultures

31:00 Mechanistic vs. Organic Metaphors

32:33 Psychologizing Organizational Change

39:38 Systemic Thinking in Organizations

44:05 Challenges in Team Dynamics

46:43 Understanding Assumptions in Change Management

51:21 Conclusion and Contact Information

Find the episode we mentioned with George Lakoffat 32.25 with here: https://youtu.be/JFgFjdCo2Js

Stan Deetz, Stanley Deetz, Organizational culture, communication, Aidan McCullen, cultural change, leadership, organizational transitions, mergers, technological innovations, globalization, Seton Hall University, ethical issues, member involvement, executive master's program, organizational development, change processes, corporate culture, workplace dynamics

Kristin von Donop - Corporate Innovation Support

17 oktober 2024 | 33 min

Belligerent Butterfly Beliefs: Ghost Mountains and Business Blind Spots

16 oktober 2024 | 8 min

Brian Dias - Triumph over Trauma

13 oktober 2024 | 57 min

We explore the transformative research of Brian Dias on how environmental stressors and trauma can influence behavior and physiology across generations. Brian shares his personal motivation behind his scientific journey, discussing his impactful studies on chemosensation, the inheritance of behavioral sensitivities, and the potential for positive future legacies. We dive into the fascinating evidence from animal studies and explore the implications for human wellbeing and organizational behavior. This episode reveals both the challenges and opportunities in understanding and altering the epigenetic legacy of stress, offering insights into the biology of adaptation and resilience.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Mantra

00:48 Welcoming the Guest: Brian Dias

02:09 Exploring Environmental Stressors

03:17 Brian's Personal Journey and Scientific Mission

05:29 Chemosensation and Generational Impact

06:46 Cherry Blossom Study and Behavioral Sensitivity

09:02 Organizational Culture and Behavioral Transmission

13:35 Mechanisms of Stress Legacy Transmission

32:19 Epigenetics and Environmental Influences

49:20 Engineering Legacies of Flourishing

53:59 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions

Trauma, Legacy, Epigenetics, Neuroscience, Stress, Gene Expression, Biological Response, Generational Trauma, Environmental Impact, Stress Response, Psychology, Human Behavior, Holocaust, 9/11, Scientific Research, Chemo Sensation, PTSD, Childhood Abuse, Brian Dias, Aidan McCullen

Towards understanding and halting legacies of trauma

https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/7jxat

Legacies of salient environmental experiences—insights from chemosensation

https://academic.oup.com/chemse/article/doi/10.1093/chemse/bjae002/7534322

Fostering Respectful and Productive Conversations: Lessons Learned From Debating Courtyards in Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/communication/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2021.755445/full

Dias Lab:

http://diaslab.weebly.com/about.html

Tammy Watchorn - The Change Ninja Handbook

4 oktober 2024 | 70 min

Tammy Watchorn - The Change Ninja Handbook

Join us in this episode as we welcome Dr. Tammy Watchorn, the author of 'The Change Ninja Handbook.'

Dive into an interactive exploration of change-making, based on real-life case studies.

Discover the most common challenges faced by change leaders, the importance of understanding organizational dynamics, and the human element in leading change. Learn about the critical tools and techniques to transform your approach and make a meaningful impact in your organization. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complexities of organizational change.

00:00 Introduction to the Change Ninja Handbook

00:15 Welcoming the Author: Tammy Watchorn

01:03 Challenges in Public Sector Change Leadership

02:13 Understanding People in Change Management

03:16 Navigating Organizational Systems and Processes

06:08 The Importance of Individual Stakeholders

08:02 Interactive Game and Recognizable Characters

12:25 The Reality of Driving Change

15:49 Personal Experiences and Lessons Learned

30:15 Creating Innovative Spaces

36:24 Navigating Workplace Challenges

37:29 The Importance of Stealth in Change Management

38:22 Building Resilience and Thick Skin

38:54 The Power of a Support Network

39:46 Defining Innovation and Change

40:20 Introducing Eddie Obeng and Qube

41:22 Innovating the Health Service

42:30 Scaling Innovation from the Ground Up

43:37 Handling Unexpected Projects

44:52 Earning and Using Brownie Points

46:23 Understanding Types of Change

47:09 The Four Types of Change

49:05 The Fog of Transformation

52:43 Aligning Teams with the Five P's

01:00:45 Celebrating Small Wins

01:03:52 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC.

https://theinnovationshow.io

The Reinvention Summit

https://www.thereinventionsummit.com/

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

Find Tammy Watchorn:

https://www.change-ninja.com

Innovation Leadership, Change Management, Organizational Transformation, Adaptive Mindset, Cultural Change, Ninja Thinking, People-Centric Innovation, Stakeholder Engagement, Workplace Collaboration, Systemic Challenges, Creative Problem Solving, Psychological Safety, Human-Centered Design, Incremental vs. Radical Change, Resilience in Innovation

Bobby Herrera: The Gift of Struggle

28 september 2024 | 56 min

Bobby Herrera: The Gift of Struggle

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring leadership journey of Bobby Herrera, co-founder and CEO of Populus Group, who has transformed his life's challenges into invaluable lessons. Bobby shares how his experiences, including his transformative 'bus story,' have shaped his leadership approach. He emphasizes the power of vulnerability, radical transparency, and empathy in leadership. Bobby also discusses the importance of storytelling in building trust and community within his organization. Join us as we explore Bobby's book 'The Gift of Struggle' and the stories that have not only defined his leadership but also offer actionable insights for any leader looking to grow. Special shout-outs to Gray Miller, Scott Miller, and Drew Young for their roles in connecting the host and Bobby.

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Challenges

01:27 Guest Introduction: Bobby Herrera

02:59 The Bus Story: A Lesson in Kindness

06:02 The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership

14:49 The Bracero Story: A Father's Legacy

26:29 The Importance of Keeping Your Word

27:41 A Hero's Lesson in Integrity

29:04 The Importance of Trust Signals

29:41 Taking Action on Feedback

32:03 The Power of Application

33:31 Mentorship and Humility

35:48 Transformative Leadership

39:53 Parenting and Leadership Lessons

45:56 Encouraging Innovation and Deviance

54:28 Final Reflections and Farewell

Find Bobby: https://www.populusgroup.com/en/about

Find Aidan McCullen for Innovation and Reinvention Keynotes, workshops and event MC.

https://theinnovationshow.io

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

Book Aidan and Bobby: https://www.graymilleragency.com

Bobby Herrera, The Gift of Struggle, Aidan McCullen, Scott Miller, Drew Young leadership, storytelling, vulnerability, empathy, resilience, mentorship, personal growth, business success, innovation, trust building, company culture, gratitude, overcoming challenges, positive impact, parenting, personal development, inspirational stories, perseverance, community building, kindness

Strategic Diversity in Corporate Innovation with Richard Robertson

23 september 2024 | 23 min

Peter Compo Finale - Strategy In Practice

21 september 2024 | 67 min

The Last Episode with Peter Compo: Engaging in Emergent Strategy

In this final episode, the host reflects on an engaging series with Peter Compo, author of 'The Emergent Approach to Strategy.' Peter answers a viewer question about strategic leadership and emergent strategy, emphasizing the importance of internalizing the strategy design and involving everyone in the process. They discuss managing strategies through turbulence, the significance of scenarios in strategy planning, and ensuring robust execution despite challenges. Finally, the episode explores identifying bottlenecks in organizations and the intricacies of systemic issues. This episode is a must-watch for business strategists and leaders looking to deepen their understanding of emergent thinking and effective execution.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:24 Viewer Questions and Strategic Leadership

01:38 Engaging Teams in Emergent Strategy

05:04 Consultant Work and Strategy Design

07:01 Execution and Crisis Management

16:19 Scenario Planning and Strategy Alternatives

36:05 Understanding Bottlenecks in Frameworks

36:45 Designing Strategy: A Puzzle Approach

39:03 The Role of Bottlenecks in Strategy

40:57 Techniques for Identifying Bottlenecks

44:17 Addressing People and Emotional Bottlenecks

46:08 Case Study: Courier Incorporated

50:41 Real-World Application: The Reinvention Summit

58:20 Systemically Broken Organizations

01:02:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Link to Peter’s website: https://emergentapproach.com

Link to Peter’s Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsn2zbnx8dwvHJrisdkAtg

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC.

https://theinnovationshow.io

The Reinvention Summit

https://www.thereinventionsummit.com/

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

Peter Compo, emergent strategy, Aidan McCullen, leadership, strategic leadership, business strategy, crisis management, execution, organizational change, scenario planning, strategy alternatives, bottlenecks, innovation, systemic issues, strategic consulting, management theory, goal setting, thought leadership, executive decision-making, strategy frameworks

The Strategy Alternative Matrix (SAM) with Peter Compo

18 september 2024 | 57 min

Execution in Strategy with Peter Compo

14 september 2024 | 41 min

Peter Compo - The Five Disqualifiers of Strategy

14 september 2024 | 39 min

Annie Duke - Thinking in Bets

11 september 2024 | 95 min

Peter Compo Part 4: The Limitations of Aspirations, Plans Metrics

7 september 2024 | 57 min

In this episode, Peter Compo delves into the emergent approach to strategy and discusses the limitations of traditional frameworks using aspirations, plans, and metrics alone. He further discusses the concept of 'killer problems' in innovation and emphasises the importance of a central rule that provides real-time guidance, unifies decisions, and allows for free choice. Complex examples from business and military strategy illustrate how granularization and over-specification can lead to failure, whereas centralized, low-level constraints help create coherence and foster creativity. Peter also explores nested systems and the necessity of having individual strategies for different segments within an organization.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:25 Limitations of Aspirations, Plans, and Metrics

01:12 The Killer Problems of Change and Innovation

03:04 Framework Components and Their Shortcomings

05:25 The Power of Central Rules

06:45 Challenges in Digital Transformation

10:27 Local vs Global Strategy

13:54 Granularization Problem in Strategy

18:31 The Fallacy of Shrinking Time

22:38 The Hidden Blockers of Transformation

26:11 Introduction to Chapter Five: How Strategy Functions

30:20 Granularization and Cascading Problems

31:13 Identifying and Overcoming Bottlenecks

33:29 Elon Musk's Engineering Approach

35:40 The Importance of Low-Level Rules

41:21 Strategy and Tactics in Warfare

48:46 Nested Systems and Organizational Strategy

54:58 The Role of Leadership in Strategy Implementation

56:23 Conclusion and Further Resources

Link to Peter’s website: https://emergentapproach.com

Link to Peter’s Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsn2zbnx8dwvHJrisdkAtg

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC.

https://theinnovationshow.io

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

Peter Compo, strategy, emergent approach, aspirations, plans, metrics, innovation, complex adaptive systems, real time guidance, central rule, rule adherence, deviations from diagnosis, decision making, organizational change, digital transformation, investment in new products, granularization, cascading goals, bottleneck constraints, nested systems, military tactics

Solving Innovation's Killer Problems with Peter Compo Part 3

5 september 2024 | 43 min

Peter Compo Part 2: A Primer on Adaptation and Emergence

28 augusti 2024 | 40 min

The Emergent Approach to Strategy: Adaptation, Innovation, and Historical Insights

In this episode, the focus is on Peter Compo's discussion of 'The Emergent Approach to Strategy,' specifically its application to adaptation and emergence in strategy development. The conversation explores the parallel between biological evolution and human innovation, highlighting the importance of adaptive systems in creativity and strategy. Historical examples, such as the early automotive industry led by Henry Ford and modern electric cars pioneered by Elon Musk, are used to illustrate how low-level disciplines and rules can lead to high-level strategic outcomes and industry transformations. The episode delves into the principles of complex adaptive systems, emphasizing the balance between discipline and free-thinking, and how effective strategies emerge from rigorous local actions. Peter Compo also addresses the concept of levels within organizations, stressing the significance of being attuned to low-level operations to drive innovation while avoiding becoming prisoners of past successes.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:08 The Concept of Adaptation and Emergence

03:43 Historical Examples of Adaptive Systems

07:13 Ford's Strategy and Its Evolution

10:39 The Theory of Levels in Creativity and Innovation

18:54 Connecting Levels to Strategy

27:41 Ants and Social Insects: A Case Study

31:48 Intel's Transition to CPUs

35:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Link to Peter’s website: https://emergentapproach.com

Link to Peter’s Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsn2zbnx8dwvHJrisdkAtg

Link to Scale with Geoffrey West Part 1 of 3: https://youtu.be/P3WowJWdX5w?si=lcgHp-bC6OrAuobG

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC.

https://theinnovationshow.io

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

Peter Compo, Aidan McCullen, emergent strategy, Peter Compo, adaptive systems, innovation, complex adaptive systems, business strategy, evolutionary mechanisms, creativity, Henry Ford, Tesla, Elon Musk, execution, Intel CPUs, corporate discipline, low level rules, high level outcomes, market forces, leadership insights

Peter Compo Part 1 - The Emergent Approach to Strategy:

24 augusti 2024 | 69 min

The Emergent Approach to Strategy with Peter Compo: A Deep Dive into Adaptive Systems

In this episode, we welcome Peter Compo, author of 'The Emergent Approach to Strategy,' to discuss the chronic failures in strategic planning and how his new book aims to redefine strategy through the lens of complex adaptive systems. Peter explains the importance of moving away from traditional planning methods and embracing an agile, emergent approach that focuses on adaptability and real-time guidance. Drawing from 25 years of experience in corporate America, including his tenure at DuPont, Peter provides practical insights into how organizations can raise their probability of success by understanding and addressing the real bottlenecks to achieving aspirations. We explore key concepts from his book, such as the triad of aspirations, bottlenecks, and strategy, and the role of rules and constraints in fostering innovation. With a mix of theory and practical application, this episode is a must-listen for corporate leaders, business strategists, and anyone interested in innovation and strategic planning.

00:00 Introduction to Strategy Failures

01:32 Guest Introduction: Peter Compo

02:06 Elevator Pitch: New Theory of Strategy

07:29 The Role of Discipline in Innovation

07:47 Music and Corporate Strategy

12:46 Challenges in Strategy Execution

14:00 The Misunderstanding of Strategy

17:43 Planning Under Uncertainty

21:30 The Importance of Adaptive Strategy

35:57 Emergent Strategy and Mintzberg's Teachings

36:44 Deliberate vs. Emergent Strategy

37:55 Understanding Strategic Constraints

39:24 Exploring Different Strategic Approaches

41:33 Overview of Strategy Concepts

43:12 Defining Strategy Across Fields

47:18 The Role of Rules in Strategy

52:22 The Triad of Aspiration, Bottleneck, Strategy

01:02:45 Consulting and Real-World Applications

01:07:22 Conclusion and Resources

Link to Frank Barrett’s episode “Yes to the Mess” part 1 and 2:

https://youtu.be/xgkk-Vlgtt0?si=-Ddv-aGFj8XtsDrF

https://youtu.be/D7dR5Gi7i80?si=bJ3NhwhhnuYWgVbl

Link to Peter’s website:

https://emergentapproach.com

Link to Peter’s Music:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsn2zbnx8dwvHJrisdkAtg

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC:

https://theinnovationshow.io

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

strategy, innovation, complex adaptive systems, Peter Compo, Aidan McCullen, DuPont, emergent approach, strategy definition, corporate strategy, business strategy, adaptive systems, strategy framework, Roger Martin, Michael Porter, Mintzberg, Charlie Parker, jazz improvisation, creativity in strategy, bottleneck, aspirations, goals, execution, discipline in strategy, innovation challenges, long-term planning, organizational change, innovation process, strategic planning, decision making, business leadership, corporate America

From VUCA to BANI, The BANI Framework - Jamais Cascio

20 augusti 2024 | 35 min

Erich Kruschitz - Navigating Corporate Exploration

17 augusti 2024 | 43 min

William 'Bill' Damon - Crafting Purpose and Resilience

12 augusti 2024 | 68 min

William 'Bill' Damon - Crafting Purpose and Resilience

In this episode, we dive deep with William 'Bill' Damon, America's leading expert on adolescence and author of 'The Path to Purpose'. Bill discusses techniques for instilling purpose and fulfilment in today's youth.

We explore his extensive research, including collaborative studies with Howard Gardner and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on ethical and successful work.

Bill reveals how his focus on purpose spans across various fields, such as family life, education, and business, highlighting the importance of personal responsibility in different contexts. He also shares his personal journey, reflecting on his relationship with his father and how it has influenced his life's purpose.

This episode is packed with insights for parents, mentors, educators, and anyone interested in understanding and cultivating purpose in life and work.

00:00 Introduction to William Damon and His Work

01:18 The Concept of Purpose in Professional Life

04:32 Exploring Purpose in Everyday Life

07:42 Purpose in Family Businesses

13:00 Personal Journey: Discovering My Father's Legacy

21:27 The Importance of Purpose and Overcoming Challenges

27:09 Evolution of Thoughts on Child Development

35:20 Exploring the Concept of Purpose

36:21 The Role of Sports in Developing Purpose

37:30 Purpose Beyond Sports: Education and Life Lessons

40:33 The Power of Purpose in Everyday Jobs

47:35 Finding Purpose in Various Life Domains

53:04 Categories of Purposeful Individuals

57:12 Challenges and Missteps in Finding Purpose

01:05:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Path to Purpose, William Damon, Aidan McCullen, adolescence, sense of purpose, family businesses, youth fulfilment, moral development, greater expectations, good work, purpose in life, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Howard Gardner, The Path to Purpose,

A Round of Golf With My Father, Good Work, The Moral Child, Greater Expectations,

The Purpose Driven Life, adolescent psychology, life review process, resilience, family enterprises, purpose and commitment, civic purpose, purposeful living

Kim, Erin and Jonathan Clark - Leading Through

6 augusti 2024 | 65 min

Kim, Erin and Jonathan Clark - Leading Through: The New Paradigm of Leadership: Soul, Heart, and Mind

In this episode, we delve into a profound moment of opportunity in human history, examining how organisations can harness leadership to help people and communities thrive. The discussion centres on the new book, 'Leading Through: Activating the Soul, Heart, and Mind of Leadership,' authored by Kim, Jonathan, and Erin Clark. The Clarks share their experiences from diverse fields to propose a shift from the outdated power-over paradigm to a more human-centric, flexible, and adaptive way of leading. Topics covered include the challenges and potential of the new paradigm, real-life examples from the authors' professional journeys, and the enduring need for empathetic leadership even in the face of daunting organisational inertia.

00:00 Introduction to a New Leadership Paradigm

00:54 Meet the Authors: Kim, Jonathan, and Erin Clark

02:12 Erin's Journey: From Accidental Consultant to Leadership Expert

04:52 John's Insights: Organisational Performance and Leadership

08:01 Kim's Experience: The Power Over Paradigm in Action

15:23 The Pathway Program: Transforming Higher Education

18:34 John's Challenge: Changing Department Dynamics

22:55 The Power Over Paradigm: Real-World Examples

29:32 Erin's Client Experience: Unity and Freedom in Leadership

32:09 The Power of Collaboration and Humanity

33:43 Breaking Free from Organisational Dynamics

35:06 The Courage to Embrace a New Paradigm

38:16 Generative AI and the Value of Humanity

46:21 The Amazon Case Study: A Cautionary Tale

50:31 Modularity: Balancing Freedom and Unity

56:14 Empathetic Leadership and Difficult Decisions

01:01:22 The Vision of Leading Through

01:03:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Book Website and how to get a preview:

https://www.leadingthrough.co

Book links:

https://linktr.ee/leadingthrough

Find Aidan here for Keynotes, Event MC and Custom L&D Programmes.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidanmccullen/

Leadership, Organizational Transformation, Kim Clark, Jonathan Clark, Erin Clark, Leading Through, Power Over Paradigm, Business Strategy, New Paradigm, Employee Empowerment, Workplace Culture, Organizational Change, Management Consulting, Innovation, Bureaucracy, Harvard Business School, Modularity, Employee Engagement, Human Potential, Professional Development

Innovating Corporate KPIs - Ellie Amirnasr and Charles Vaillant

3 augusti 2024 | 35 min

Carol Tavris - Mistakes Were Made But Not By Me

31 juli 2024 | 75 min

Carol Tavris - Mistakes Were Made But Not By Me

The Psychology of Self-Justification with Carol Tavris

In this episode, Aidan McCullen interviews Carol Tavris, co-author of 'Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me),' to explore the intricacies of cognitive dissonance, self-justification, and memory. They investigate why humans find it difficult to admit mistakes, even in the presence of irrefutable evidence. Through numerous case studies and real-world examples, they discuss the implications of these psychological mechanisms in areas as varied as personal life, law enforcement, and political decision-making. The conversation tackles how these insights can apply to everyone from parents and judges to business leaders and law enforcement, emphasizing the significance of humility, critical thinking, and the human tendency to rewrite personal histories to fit current beliefs.

00:00 Introduction to Self-Justification

01:14 Welcoming the Author: Carol Tavris

02:17 The Premise of the Book

03:06 Understanding Cognitive Dissonance

08:44 Memory and Self-Justification

14:43 Confabulations and False Memories

23:02 The Pyramid of Choice

32:42 Law Enforcement and Wrongful Convictions

37:58 The Importance of Correcting Interrogation Methods

38:33 The Impact of Miscarriages of Justice

38:55 Examples of Recognizing Mistakes

39:52 The 1980s and 90s Hysteria Over Child Abuse

40:21 The McMartin Daycare Scandal

41:06 Flawed Child Interrogation Techniques

42:58 A Case of Misunderstanding: Daddy's Pee Pee

44:53 The Emotional Toll of False Convictions

47:39 The Pyramid of Entrapment and Justification

48:48 The Influence of Bias in Decision Making

50:32 The Role of Pharmaceutical Companies in Medicine

52:06 Moral Choices and Life Decisions

54:55 Understanding and Living with Cognitive Dissonance

01:03:17 The Power of Admitting Mistakes

01:06:58 The Allure of Victim Narratives

01:08:40 Alien Abductions and Hypnagogic States

01:14:17 The Importance of Understanding Human Frailties

Find Carol here:

https://tavris.socialpsychology.org

That Sarah Silverman interview:

https://youtu.be/FUKdUk_QxAA?si=2kUbf2QCKD08wyaP

Carol’s books:

https://tavris.socialpsychology.org/publications

psychology, cognitive dissonance, self-justification, memory, mistakes, humility, ethics, law enforcement, interrogation, wrongful convictions, trauma, alien abductions, confirmation bias, leadership, decision making, self-concept, Carol Tavris (author), Aidan McCullen (host), Elliot Aronson (co-author), Leon Festinger (researcher on cognitive dissonance), James Thurber (author of The Wonderful O), Richard Feynman (scientist and quote source), Mary Carr (memoirist), Joseph Allen (wrongfully convicted), Ronald Reagan (Bitburg cemetery incident), Shimon Peres (comment on Reagan's mistake), Sarah Silverman (Louis C.K. controversy), Louis C.K. (comedian involved in controversy), Jeffrey Cohen (research on political bias), Lee Ross (naive realism), John Mack (psychiatrist on alien abductions), Susan Clancy (researcher on alien abductions), Rich McNally (memory scientist), Antonin Scalia (Supreme Court Justice), Clarence Thomas (Supreme Court Justice), Auburn Blooming (oncologist and co-author)

David Rogers - The Digital Transformation Roadmap Part 2

24 juli 2024 | 57 min

David Rogers - The Digital Transformation Roadmap Part 2

Mastering Digital Transformation: Insights from David Rogers

In this engaging episode, Aidan sits down with David Rogers, the author of 'The Digital Transformation Roadmap'. They delve into the significant challenges and strategies for digital transformation within organisations. Key topics include overcoming psychological and organisational debt, technical capabilities required for transformation, the importance of suitable technology, retaining key talent, and evolving organisational culture. David also shares insights on governance and iterative funding, emphasising the need for smart shutdowns and resource allocation. The episode is packed with practical examples, including successful digital transformations at Walmart and Netflix. David's profound experience and practical tools make this essential listening for business leaders and innovators.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:13 Understanding Organisational and Technical Debt

02:18 The Importance of Tech Capabilities

03:29 Talent and Culture in Digital Transformation

05:19 Governance in Digital Transformation

08:27 The Role of Teams and Boards

20:00 Smart Shutdowns and Innovation Governance

26:07 The Corporate Innovation Stack

29:34 The Broken Model of Innovation

30:02 Governance Model for Innovation

30:42 Path Three Innovations: Challenges and Management

32:15 Innovation Structures and Strategies

34:12 Skipping Vision and Priorities

35:07 Walmart's Strategic Innovation in Online Grocery

41:24 Four Stages of Validation

49:21 Case Studies: Netflix and Diapers.com

54:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Find David here: https://davidrogers.digital

Find Aidan McCullen for Keynotes and Corporate Workshops here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidanmccullen/

David Rogers, Aidan McCullen, Digital Transformation, Innovation Governance, Iterative Funding, Corporate Innovation, Organizational Change, Innovation Strategy, Technical Debt, Psychological Debt, Innovation Boards, Startup Culture, Agile Methodology, Product Validation, Strategic Priorities, Business Validation, Smart Shutdowns, Innovation Stack, Customer Validation, Executive Insights

David L. Rogers - The Digital Transformation Roadmap Part 1

17 juli 2024 | 57 min

Unlocking Successful Digital Transformation: Insights from David L. Rogers

In this episode, David L. Rogers, author of 'The Digital Transformation Roadmap' and 'The Digital Transformation Playbook,' joins Aidan to discuss the critical steps and challenges businesses face in their journey towards digital transformation. Rogers emphasises the importance of transforming not just products and business models but the organisation itself.

He outlines five major barriers to success: vision, priorities, experimentation, governance, and capabilities.

Through insightful case studies such as the New York Times and CNN+, Rogers illustrates the pitfalls and successful strategies for driving meaningful innovation.

Additionally, he highlights the need for iterative funding and continuous adaptation in the face of uncertainty. This episode is packed with practical advice and lessons drawn from two decades of research and real-world examples, aimed at helping leaders navigate and thrive in the digital age.

00:00 Introduction to Digital Transformation

00:57 Meet the Author: David L. Rogers

01:47 The Evolution of Digital Transformation

02:36 Challenges and Misconceptions

07:48 Defining Digital Transformation

09:56 Barriers to Success

22:26 Case Study: The New York Times

31:33 Setting Realistic Expectations for Change

32:21 Defining a Clear Vision for Change

34:03 Empathy and Resistance to Change

34:53 Challenges of Corporate Innovation

36:15 Addressing Uncertainty in Innovation

39:27 Paths to Innovation and Growth

41:41 Case Study: The Failure of CNN Plus

49:55 Iterative Funding and the Facebook Example

54:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Find David here:

Substack: http://davidrogersdigital.substack.com

Website: https://davidrogers.digital

The Missing Link Between Strategy and Innovation article David mentioned:

https://hbr.org/2024/03/the-missing-link-between-strategy-and-innovation

The episode we mentioned with Steve Blank:

The Startup Owner's Manual: The Step-By-Step Guide for Building a Great Company

https://youtu.be/JbPRE2oCjnY?si=S0ULzjFLdnsU-1Ix

Aidan McCullen, David Rogers, digital transformation roadmap, digital transformation playbook, corporate governance, iterative experimentation, Facebook, CNN Plus, startup funding, media industry, New York Times, Steve Blank, Bob Dorf, Rita McGrath, Stefan Tompkin, Peter Thiel, Jason Keillar, Jeff Zucker

Business Experiments with Sarah Spoto and Vincent Ducret

14 juli 2024 | 32 min

In the latest episode of the Corporate Explorer series, brought to you by Wazoku, we discuss the importance of balancing personal instincts with data and evidence in business decisions. Guests, Product Marketing Manager for Electric Vehicles & Customer Experience with Cadillac, Sarah Spoto and Vincent Ducret from ChangeLogic share their experiences of implementing experimental frameworks in China for General Motors. They emphasize the critical steps of assumption analysis, prioritizing hypotheses, and iterative experimentation, while also addressing challenges in corporate environments, such as maintaining cultural buy-in and celebrating failures as learning opportunities. Sponsored by Wazoku, the episode offers deep dives into innovation management, strategic risk-taking, and the use of connected collective intelligence to drive business success.

00:00 Introduction: The Pitfalls of Instinct-Driven Decisions

00:40 The Role of Data in Corporate Exploration

01:07 Sponsor Message: Wazoku's Innovation Ecosystem

01:56 Incubation and De-risking New Business Ideas

02:19 Meet the Corporate Explorers: Sarah Spoto and Vincent Ducraix

02:50 Sarah Spoto's Journey in Corporate Innovation

04:40 Vincent Ducraix's Background and Experience

06:55 The Business Learning Life Cycle Framework

08:10 The Importance of De-risking in Corporate Ventures

13:04 Challenges and Strategies in Corporate Experimentation

14:33 The Role of Leadership and Team Buy-in

21:08 Case Study: Experimentation in China

30:28 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Find Sarah here: https://sarahspoto.com

Find Vincent here: https://changelogic.com/team/vincent-ducret/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vducret/

Key Takeaways

This conversation explores business experimentation using a framework outlined in the Corporate Explorer book. Here are the key takeaways:

Challenges of Corporate Innovation:

Reliance on past experience can lead to failure in new ventures due to high uncertainties.
Traditional methods like surveys might not capture the right data for untested ideas.

The Business Experiments Framework:

Identify Key Assumptions: List all critical assumptions about your new venture (customer value proposition,problem addressed, etc.).
Prioritize Assumptions: Focus on the riskiest assumptions that could derail the project.
Design Experiments: Create creative experiments to test these assumptions with real customer data (not just surveys).
Collect Learnings: Analyze experiment results to validate or disprove assumptions.
Iterate: Use learnings to refine your approach and potentially conduct new experiments on remaining assumptions.

Benefits of Business Experiments:

Reduces risk by validating assumptions before significant resource investment.
Provides data-driven decision making for building the right product for the right customer.

Challenges of Implementing Business Experiments:

Balancing Speed and De-risking: There's a tension between demonstrating progress and taking the time to properly de-risk the project.
Cultural Shift: Organizations need to embrace experimentation and see failures as learning opportunities.
Team Buy-in: Both leadership and working-level teams need to understand the value of experimentation.

Success Factors:

Strong Leadership Support: Having advocates who understand and champion the approach is crucial.
Cultural Investment: Educate teams on the process and celebrate failures as learning opportunities.
Focus on Learning: Value the insights gained from experiments, even if they disprove assumptions.

Example Implementation:

Sarah Spoto's experience in China highlights the importance of setting the right incentives and building a cross-functional team for experimentation.
Assumptions analysis is a valuable starting point, even if full experimentation isn't implemented.

Overall, business experimentation offers a structured approach for de-risking new ventures and making data-driven decisions in the face of uncertainty.

Sally Susman - Breaking Through

12 juli 2024 | 61 min

Rob C. Wolcott and Kaihan Krippendorff - The Proximity Revolution

3 juli 2024 | 62 min

The Proximity Revolution: Transforming Industries and Daily Life

In this episode, we delve into the proximity revolution with authors Rob C. Wolcott and Kaihan Krippendorff. The discussion centers on how digital technologies are expediting the production and delivery of customized products, services, and experiences, vastly transforming industries from agriculture to healthcare. The concept of 'proximity' shows promise in improving sustainability, optimizing supply chains, and enhancing customer personalization through innovations like vertical farming and on-demand 3D printing.

The conversation also explores the strategic implications of this shift for businesses, highlighting the importance of visionary thinking and practical applications. Tune in to discover how proximity is poised to reshape our world and what leaders can do to navigate these changes effectively.

00:00 Introduction to the Proximity Revolution

01:02 Meet the Authors: Rob C. Wolcott and Kaihan Krippendorff

02:25 Defining Proximity: Anything, Anywhere, Anytime

03:28 Real-World Examples: Coca Cola Freestyle and Vertical Farms

06:09 Proximity in Agriculture: From Dubai to Your Dinner Table

09:52 The Role of Technology in Proximity

11:15 Proximity in Food Supply Chains: Efficiency and Sustainability

12:50 Innovative Solutions: Haier's Peking Duck Challenge

16:34 Moment of Use and Controlled Environment Agriculture

22:54 Case Study: Interstellar Lab and Growing Food on Mars

26:38 Why Proximity? The Drivers Behind the Trend

27:00 The Shift in Global Conditions and Technology

28:04 The Rise of Small Footprint Production

28:42 Digital Proximity and Generative AI

29:28 Geopolitical and Climate Drivers

30:16 The Digital Customer and Predictive Analytics

30:53 Domino's Pizza: A Case Study in Proximity

33:26 Healthcare Revolution: Medicines on Demand

34:52 On Demand Pharmaceuticals: A Game Changer

37:37 Future of Healthcare: Predictive Monitoring

42:53 Proximity Strategies for Businesses

49:01 Investing in Proximity Innovations

51:09 Conclusion and Where to Find More

52:09 Bonus Episode on Proximity in Action with Dr Ian McCabe

EP531 Wendy Smith - Both/And Thinking Part 3

27 juni 2024 | 50 min

EP530 Building an Ecosystem Playbook with Christine Griffin

25 juni 2024 | 21 min

Developing an Ecosystem Playbook for Corporate Innovation with Best Buy Case Study

In this episode, we delve into the strategies corporate explorers need to develop successful partnerships and co-innovate to deliver value propositions to their consumers. Our guest, Christine Griffin, shares a six-step process for creating an ecosystem playbook, using Best Buy's expansion into the home health market as a compelling case study. We examine how Best Buy transitioned from a retail giant to an orchestrator of home health services through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Additionally, we explore the importance of understanding value creation, identifying market breakpoints, mapping ecosystem players, and assessing financial flows. This episode also highlights the critical roles of scaling path, capabilities, capacities, and customer access in achieving business success.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Wazoku, for supporting corporate innovation.

00:00 Introduction to Corporate Innovation

00:39 Sponsor Acknowledgment and Guest Introduction

01:52 Overview of Best Buy's Home Health Strategy

03:16 Best Buy's Acquisitions and Initial Footprint

03:55 Building Partnerships in the Healthcare Ecosystem

05:12 Mapping the Ecosystem and Identifying Break Points

10:04 Understanding the Players and Their Roles

12:35 Evaluating Incentives and Profit Pools

15:12 Developing a Scaling Path

18:03 The Importance of Stakeholder Involvement

19:46 Conclusion and Further Resources

Corporate Explorers, Innovation Strategy, Innovation Ecosystems, Best Buy Case Study, Christine Griffin, Scaling Startups, Corporate Innovation, Business Ecosystems, Strategic Partnerships, Innovation Show, Wazoku, Sustainable Innovation, Hubert Joly, Ecosystem Playbook, Technology Adoption, Corporate Explorer Series, Corporate Strategy, Innovation Tools, Best Buy Health, Business Development, Innovation Leadership, Change Logic, Healthcare Innovation, Digital Health, Startup Scaling, Entrepreneurship, Business Growth, Market Strategy, Innovation Mapping, Corporate Transformation

Find Christine here: https://changelogic.com/team/christine-griffin/

Find Wazoku here: https://www.wazoku.com

Wendy Smith - Both/And Thinking Part 2

20 juni 2024 | 48 min

Wendy Smith - Both/And Thinking Part1

13 juni 2024 | 47 min

Getting the Senior Team Onboard with Alexander Pett

10 juni 2024 | 24 min

Alison Taylor - Higher Ground

3 juni 2024 | 52 min

Gathering Customer Discovery Data with Vanessa Ceia

28 maj 2024 | 21 min

Teresa Amabile - The Progress Principle

23 maj 2024 | 53 min

Howard Gardner: The Synthesizing Mind

17 maj 2024 | 70 min

Howard Gardner: The Synthesizing Mind

Sign up to our Substack to be first to know about latest events, episodes and more.

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Innovation Show, Howard Gardner, renowned for his theory of multiple intelligences, discusses his memoir 'A Synthesizing Mind,' recounting his life's intellectual journey.

Gardner talks about his career, his passion for understanding intelligence, his work on 'good work,' and how modern innovations like large language models impact his theories.

He shares personal anecdotes, the importance of synthesizing information, and his thoughts on education and ethics in the 21st century. Join us for a truly memorable episode as we delve deep into Gardner's mind and explore the essence of a synthesizer.

We talk innovation, creativity, ethics, goodness, education and life itself.

00:00 Unveiling the Synthesizing Mind of Howard Gardner

01:56 Exploring the Essence of the Synthesizing Mind

06:20 The Role of Synthesizers in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

14:36 Good Work: The Triple Helix of Excellence, Engagement, and Ethics

17:55 Navigating the Complexities of Good Work and Ethical Dilemmas

20:47 The Impact of Multiple Intelligences on Innovation

33:22 Exploring Musical Intelligence and Personal Reflections

33:46 The Impact and Legacy of 'Frames of Mind'

34:38 The Journey of Synthesizing Knowledge

35:56 Upcoming Publications: The Essential Howard Gardner

36:47 Reflections on Life, Learning, and Legacy

38:31 Navigating the Digital Age: Challenges and Strategies

44:17 The Misuse of Multiple Intelligences Theory

46:08 Ethical Considerations in Public Speaking and Publishing

47:22 The Importance of Good Work and Ethical Values

48:29 Revisiting Truth, Beauty, and Goodness in the Modern Era

01:01:29 Personal Experiences Shaping Educational Perspectives

01:05:24 The Essence of Continuous Learning and Good Work

Find Howard here:

https://www.howardgardner.com

The Good Project:

https://www.thegoodproject.org/good-blog

Project Zero:

https://pz.harvard.edu/projects/the-good-project

In 2024, Teachers College Press is issuing two volumes: The Essential Howard Gardner on Education (spring); The Essential Howard Gardner on Mind (fall). Covering work from several decades, each volume contains over two dozen articles, along with my autobiographical notes and up-to-date comments on the background, motivation, and impact of these publications.

For those interested in path-breaking work in education, psychology, and related fields, these books are indeed Essential Reading.

Blurbs for Education volume:

"A fascinating look at educational issues by one of our nation's finest and most creative academics. This is vintage Howard!" ―David C. Berliner, Regents Professor Emeritus, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University

"For more than 40 years, Dr. Howard Gardner has been one of―if not the―most influential scholar on the American educational system. It is thrilling to see a single volume that brings together Gardner's research and writings on educational institutions ranging from pre-K through the university. Readers who know Gardner best for his work on multiple intelligences theory will benefit tremendously from this exposure to his thinking on topics such as what it means to do good work, the purpose of a liberal arts education, and the role of social media in contemporary young people's development." ―Scott Seider, associate professor of applied developmental and educational psychology, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, Boston College

"The Essential Howard Gardner on Education offers a crisp distillation of Gardner's lasting contributions to our understanding of teaching and learning in a complex, ever-changing world. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Gardner's work, this masterfully crafted narrative provides an accessible overview of Gardner's wide-ranging contributions to the field of education, including his educational philosophy; the provenance, uptake, and legacy of multiple intelligences theory; what it means to educate for truth, beauty, and goodness; and much more." ―Katie Davis, associate professor, Information School, University of Washington

"This is the book we've been waiting for. Here are the pithy, clear, and on-point vistas of one of the leading minds in his field. In the age of education fads and magic bullets, this book will become the indispensable GPS―Gardner Positioning System―to survey vast vistas in education and allied fields. Fasten your seat belt and prepare for an exhilarating journey." ―Marcelo M. Suárez-Orozco, chancellor, University of Massachusetts Boston

Early blurb for Mind volume:

"Howard Gardner has long been one of our most lucid, wide-ranging, and influential thinkers about cognitive science, development, and education. This collection captures his distinguished career exceptionally well."

―Alison Gopnik, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley

George Glackin - Value Flows and Design Criteria Maps

13 maj 2024 | 18 min

Navigating Misinformation with Empathy: Misbelief with Dan Ariely

6 maj 2024 | 78 min

Dan Ariely

Navigating Misinformation with Empathy: Misbelief with Dan Ariely

This episode features Dan Ariely, author of 'Misbelief, what makes rational people believe irrational things', focusing on the psychology behind misinformation and belief in conspiracy theories.

Ariely discusses how stress, personality traits, and social dynamics contribute to the spread of false beliefs, emphasising the importance of resilience and trust in combating misinformation.

He shares personal experiences, including being targeted by disinformation, and highlights his role in the NBC show 'The Irrational' that combines social science with solving crimes. The conversation touches on various psychological concepts, the impact of cognitive biases, and the role of social context in shaping beliefs.

Ariely proposes empathy and understanding over conflict in addressing belief in misinformation and discusses the broader implications of trust erosion in society.

00:00 Unraveling the Web of Misinformation

01:12 Welcome Dan Ariely: Exploring Misbelief

02:15 The Making of 'The Irrational': A TV Show Inspired by Real Science

06:13 Embracing Imperfections: The Philosophy of Kintsugi

12:22 The Personal Impact of Misinformation on Dan Ariely

18:39 The Psychological Journey into Misbelief

22:08 Navigating the Flood of Misinformation in the Digital Age

26:42 The Role of Stress in Cultivating Misbeliefs

33:49 Challenging Cognitive Biases and Misbeliefs

40:01 Navigating Societal Divides: The Abortion Debate

40:59 The Power of Uncertainty in Dialogue

41:25 Innovation and the 'Us vs. Them' Mentality

42:33 Exploring the Dunning-Kruger Effect

47:15 The Role of Memory in Shaping Beliefs

49:02 Personality Traits and Susceptibility to Misbelief

52:07 Social Dynamics: Ostracism and Its Effects

01:01:38 Understanding Cognitive Dissonance

01:07:13 The Importance of Resilience and Trust

01:15:52 Concluding Thoughts on Misbelief and Social Change

Dan Ariely, Behavioral Economics, Misbelief, Misinformation, Social Media, Conspiracy Theories, Political Affiliation, Psychology, Fake News, Empathy, Cognitive Bias, Trust in Society, Resilience, Stress and Misbelief, Cognitive Dissonance, Shibboleth, Secure Attachment, Dunning-Kruger Effect, Innovation, Identity and Belief, AI and Misinformation

Find Dan at www.DanAriely.com

Unpacking Mindfulness and Positive Psychology with Ellen Langer

4 maj 2024 | 59 min

Unpacking Mindfulness and Positive Psychology with Ellen Langer

This podcast episode features Ellen Langer, known as the mother of mindfulness and positive psychology, discussing her latest book 'The Mindful Body' and its comprehensive insights into achieving chronic health through mindfulness. Langer covers a variety of topics, from the pitfalls of social comparison to the power of positive framing and the immense control people have over their health and happiness through mindful practices. Through anecdotes and empirical studies, she illustrates how changing perceptions and embracing variability can alleviate chronic illnesses, transform education, and enhance daily living. The discussion also touches on the psychological effects of labels, the importance of mindfulness in caregiving, and the transformative potential of mindful learning in both personal and professional contexts. Langer emphasizes the choice available in interpretations of our experiences and encourages a mindful approach to life's challenges to add more life to our years.

00:00 Welcome to the Mindful Body: An Introduction

00:44 The Pitfalls of Social Comparison

03:54 Embracing Imperfection and Mindfulness

05:22 Rethinking Regrets and Embracing Life's Uncertainties

07:29 The Power of Perspective: Learning from Loss

13:12 Understanding Emotions and Behavior

16:46 Mindful Learning and the Value of Mistakes

23:30 Challenging Conventional Wisdom on Health and Vision

27:20 Exploring the Power of Mindfulness in Managing Chronic Illness

28:03 The Transformative Effects of Mindfulness on Health

29:56 The Pygmalion Effect: Expectations Shaping Reality

30:59 Harnessing Placebo Effects and Mindful Healing

36:39 Mindful Contagion: Enhancing Well-being in Social Interactions

41:42 Mindfulness and Memory: Challenging Age-Related Stereotypes

48:17 Mindfulness in Practice: From Healthcare to Everyday Life

51:41 Embracing Mindfulness for Personal and Organizational Change

Find Ellen and her books. https://www.ellenlanger.me

Venture Building from Idea to Scale with Michael Nichols

29 april 2024 | 37 min

Ellen Langer - The Mindful Body Part 1

25 april 2024 | 55 min

An Interview with Ellen Langer: The Power of Mindfulness in Health and Life

The script features an interview with Ellen Langer, the first woman to be tenured in psychology at Harvard. Known worldwide as the mother of mindfulness and the mother of Positive Psychology, she shares insights from her esteemed career and her latest book, 'The Mindful Body Thinking, our Way to Lasting Health'. Langer discusses her role in pioneering research in Mind Body Unity and emphasizes the importance of mindfulness as a way of enhancing health. She explains how attitudes and personal perspectives can often influence our physical and mental well-being, including how we perceive and treat stress, illnesses like cancer, chronic diseases and even factors like age and physical appearance. She emphasizes the power of perception, contextual considerations, and the important role that language plays in mediating our experiences.

00:00 Introduction to the Guest and Her Work

00:48 Understanding Mindfulness and Its Impact

01:34 Exploring the Concept of Mindfulness

02:25 The Power of Being Mindful

03:27 The Prevalence of Mindlessness

04:10 The Benefits of Noticing Change

05:24 The Journey to Mindfulness

05:47 The Impact of Personal Experiences on Research

06:40 Exploring the Mind-Body Unity Concept

08:25 The Power of Mindset in Physical Health

10:54 The Influence of Perception on Healing

11:32 The Role of Mind-Body Unity in Chronic Illness

19:05 The Power of Attention to Symptom Variability

23:40 Understanding and Addressing Addictions

28:50 The Impact of Perception on Sleep

28:57 The Power of Perception in Sleep and Attitude

29:37 The Impact of Clothing on Perception and Age

30:33 The Influence of Uniforms and Balding on Age Perception

31:41 The Mind-Body Connection and Personal Experiences

33:57 The Power of Placebos and the Challenge of Social Conditioning

39:27 The Role of Stress in Health and Disease

43:23 Challenging the Rules and Embracing Innovation

46:30 The Power of Language in Shaping Our Reality

52:16 The Illusion of Control and the Role of Risk in Decision Making

Ellen Langer, Social Psychology, Stress Management, Health Awareness, Thinking habits, Motivational Interview, Personal Development, Positive Psychology, Mind-Behaviour Connection, Chronic Health, Lifestyle, Habitual Behaviour, Carrying out tasks, Confidence Building, Empowerment

Find Ellen here:

https://www.ellenlanger.me

Rita McGrath: Designing Organisations for Innovation and Growth

20 april 2024 | 46 min

The Power of Collective Intelligence with Simon Hill

16 april 2024 | 28 min

The Entrepreneurial Mindset Part 3 with Rita McGrath

12 april 2024 | 61 min

The Entrepreneurial Mindset Part 2 with Rita McGrath

7 april 2024 | 31 min

The Entrepreneurial Mindset Part 1 with Rita McGrath

5 april 2024 | 56 min

Harnessing the Entrepreneurial Mindset for Innovation and Growth

This script delves into a conversation with Rita McGrath, author of 'The Entrepreneurial Mindset,' exploring principles for thriving in rapidly changing environments. McGrath shares her personal journey from industry to academia, emphasizing the importance of understanding practical business applications. The script covers themes such as the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset in recognizing and acting on business opportunities, detailed methodologies for product differentiation, and strategies for business model innovation. McGrath discusses her work on attribute mapping and quizzing as tools for identifying customer needs and creating blockbuster products. The narrative extends to strategic management under uncertainty, leveraging insights from evolutionary economics, and the challenge of disruptive innovation. The script concludes with McGrath highlighting software solutions, like Sparc Hub, designed to facilitate the operationalization of these concepts within organizations.

00:00 Unlocking the Entrepreneurial Mindset: A Guide to Innovation 01:15 From Political Campaigns to Digital Transformation: Rita McGrath's Journey 08:10 The Evolution of Strategic Management and the Birth of Disruptive Innovation 14:42 Embracing the Entrepreneurial Mindset for Future Success 18:22 Crafting the Entrepreneurial Frame: Setting the Stage for Innovation 31:57 Exploring Autonomous Technology in Military Operations 32:40 The Future of Autonomy: Removing Humans from the Equation 33:21 Redefining Transportation and Ownership in an Autonomous World 33:38 Opportunity Inventory: Identifying What's Ready for Innovation 33:58 The Human Factor in Innovation and Transformation Efforts 34:25 Designing Blockbuster Products and Services 34:50 Attribute Mapping: Aligning Offerings with Customer Needs 35:38 Understanding Customer Behavior Beyond Demographics 37:08 The Power of Non-Negotiables, Discriminators, and Exciters in Product Design 38:29 The Evolution of Product Features: From Exciters to Non-Negotiables 45:41 Staying Ahead of High-Impact Trends and Competitive Changes 50:54 Quizzing Methodology: Uncovering New Opportunities for Differentiation 54:33 Closing Remarks and Where to Find More Information

Find Rita: https://www.ritamcgrath.com

Find Valize: https://www.valize.com

Transforming Ideas into Action with Stuart Laws

2 april 2024 | 16 min

From Postage to Paradigm Shift with Michael J. Critelli

27 mars 2024 | 47 min

Trails Less Travelled: Innovation Lessons from former CEO and Chairman of Pitney Bowes, Michael Critelli Part 1

20 mars 2024 | 47 min

Challenge-Driven Innovation with Bea Schofield

15 mars 2024 | 22 min

Ian Morrison Part 2 of The Second Curve

11 mars 2024 | 51 min

If Health is Wealth, America's Working Mothers Are Living in Extreme Poverty with Ann Somers Hogg

8 mars 2024 | 29 min

Ideation from Within with Kaihan Krippendorff

2 mars 2024 | 14 min

Ian Morrison - The Second Curve: Bracing for Changes in Technology, Consumers, and Markets

25 februari 2024 | 50 min

The Second Curve: Bracing for Changes in Technology, Consumers, and Markets

The podcast sees futurist and author, Ian Morrison, discuss the concept of his book, 'The Second Curve'. This concept delineates how businesses must straddle their existing 'first curve' while preparing for a 'second curve' defined by new technologies, market shifts, and emerging consumer behaviors. Morrison cites examples, like Microsoft and Apple, of successful navigation from the first to second curve and emphasizes the importance of not abandoning the profit potential of the existing business too soon. Concerning organisations, Morrison discusses a shift from mechanistic to more fluid 'organic' forms, referencing shifts to more connected, network-driven models and an importance of corporate culture. He also explains the strategy of 'virtual integration' employed by companies like Apple, contrasting it to traditional integration approaches. Morrison finishes by highlighting the enduring relevance of adaptable, entrepreneurial culture in the success of these transformations.

Find Ian here: http://ianmorrison.com

00:00 Introduction: The Dilemma of the Second Curve

00:57 The Journey of the Author: From Geographic Change to Futurism

04:40 The Genesis of the Second Curve Concept

05:41 The Challenges of Navigating the Second Curve

06:47 The Impact of Technological Change on Businesses

09:02 The Role of Forecasting in Navigating Change

11:29 The Pitney Bowes Case Study: Navigating the Second Curve

13:13 The Importance of Timing in Jumping to the Second Curve

13:48 The Role of Innovation in Business Survival

15:18 The Impact of External Changes on Business Strategies

17:06 The Challenges of Adapting to New Business Models

18:37 The Role of Emotional Intelligence and Flexibility in Navigating Change

21:39 The Pitney Bowes Story: A Lesson in Navigating the Second Curve

37:16 The Role of Culture in Navigating the Second Curve

50:15 Conclusion: The Future of the Second Curve

IanMorrison #AidanMcCullen #BusinessInnovation #DigitalTransformation #SecondCurve #PitneyBowes #SonyVsDisney #OrganizationalChange #FutureOfWork

Tony Ulwick and The Jobs To Be Done Canvas

18 februari 2024 | 19 min

Narendra Laljani - Corporate Explorer Part 4

10 februari 2024 | 19 min

Corporate Explorers: Navigating Through Toxic Assumptions with Narendra Laljani

Episode Description:

In this insightful episode of our Corporate Explorer series, we dive deep into the crucial topic of "Outside-In: Overcoming Toxic Assumptions with Market Insight" with our distinguished guest, Narendra Laljani. As a co-author of the chapter, management educator, consultant, and program director at Henley Business School, Laljani brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our discussion, illuminating the path for organizations aiming to navigate the treacherous waters of innovation and strategic adaptation.

Key Highlights:

Introduction to the Series [00:00:00]: We kick off the episode with gratitude towards our sponsor, Wazoku, for supporting the exploration of effective, sustainable innovation ecosystems. A brief overview sets the stage for our deep dive into overcoming toxic assumptions through market insight, highlighting the journey through previous series parts with Mike Tushman and Andy Binns.
The Core Challenges [00:02:00]: Laljani and host Aidan McCullen discuss the dual challenges of the "inside-out" and "outside-in" perspectives that organizations face. Through captivating examples such as Encyclopaedia Britannica, Kodak, and Thomas Cook, we explore the pitfalls of success recipes and the importance of adapting to environmental changes.
Narendra Laljani's Rich Experience [00:04:00]: Laljani shares his extensive background in corporate exploration, offering personal anecdotes and lessons learned from both successes and failures. His insights into leadership challenges and strategic execution are not to be missed.
Overcoming Embedded Assumptions [00:05:00]: Delving into the metaphor of organizational DNA, we discuss how deeply embedded assumptions and beliefs shape corporate culture and decision-making processes, often to the detriment of innovation and growth.
Mental Models and Industry Paradigms [00:09:00]: The conversation broadens to include the concept of mental models within organizations and entire industries, emphasizing the importance of challenging existing paradigms to uncover new opportunities.
The Value of New Perspectives [00:12:00]: Highlighting the critical role of newcomers in injecting fresh thinking into stagnant environments, we discuss strategies for preserving and leveraging newness within corporate structures.
A Framework for Innovation [00:14:00]: Laljani introduces a practical framework for challenging assumptions, derived from the work of C.K. Prahalad and Gary Hamel, offering listeners a tool for strategic innovation and thought provocation.
Continuous Learning as a Competitive Edge [00:16:00]: The episode concludes with a powerful discussion on the importance of learning, unlearning, and relearning, underscoring continuous learning as the only sustainable competitive advantage in the future.

Where to Find Us: Tune in to this compelling episode on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify to gain insights into overcoming toxic assumptions with market insight. For those looking to dive deeper into strategic innovation and corporate exploration, connect with Narendra Laljani on LinkedIn or explore the upcoming Strategic Innovation Program at Henley Business School.

The Silent Killers of Strategy Implementation and Learning - Mike Beer

10 februari 2024 | 66 min

Fit To Compete Part 2 with Michael Beer

1 februari 2024 | 80 min

Fit To Compete Part 1 with Mike Beer

26 januari 2024 | 76 min

Corporate Explorer Part 3 Andy Binns

21 januari 2024 | 13 min

Hunting Zones with Andrew Binns

Brought to you by Wazoku, the Corporate Explorer series is designed to uncover the depth of insight and experience within corporations, beyond management gurus and academics.

🌐 Episode Description: Join Andrew Binns in this insightful episode of "Hunting Zones," where he explores the world of Corporate Explorers—innovative leaders who embark on the challenging journey of building new ventures within established organizations. In this episode, we delve into the crucial aspects of inspiring and guiding aspiring Corporate Explorers, offering actionable insights for success.

🚀 Episode Highlights:

Finding Inspiration: Discover where aspiring Corporate Explorers should seek inspiration and how to ignite the passion to solve customer problems within established organizations.
Guidance for Stepping Forward: Explore valuable guidance for encouraging Corporate Explorers to step forward and take on the challenge of building new ventures.
Increasing Proposal Quality: Learn effective strategies to increase the odds of generating high-quality proposals that align with business strategy and attract senior sponsors' support.
Getting Started: Uncover practical tips on how to get started on the challenging road of corporate innovation and guide the energy of budding innovators toward lucrative market opportunities.
Hunting Zones Defined: Understand the concept of "hunting zones" as defined by Andrew Binss, which provide boundaries to innovative impulses, helping generate ideas in line with business strategy and more likely to attract investment.

🎯 Bounded Diversity Approach: Explore the concept of "bounded diversity" as a powerful approach to ideation within corporations. Learn how defining boundaries, or hunting zones, facilitates a free range of ideas, ensuring a strong connection to the business strategy and creating a win-win situation for idea generators and investors.

🔍 Case Study: Nvidia's Success Story: Delve into the success story of Nvidia, led by CEO Jensen Huang. Learn how the company shifted into new market areas, building a software ecosystem alongside its traditional semiconductor business. Discover how Huang strategically defined hunting zones in gaming, autonomous vehicles, enterprise computing, and scientific computing, guiding his team towards innovative solutions and significant growth.

Tune in to "Hunting Zones with Andrew Binns" for a captivating exploration of corporate innovation, insightful strategies, and real-world success stories. Whether you're an aspiring Corporate Explorer or a business enthusiast, this episode offers valuable perspectives on navigating the dynamic landscape of corporate ventures. 🎧✨

Wazoku helps large organizations create effective, sustainable innovation ecosystems that accelerate efficiency gains and new value growth. It does this through intelligent enterprise software that connects and harnesses the power of employees, suppliers, start-ups, universities, and the unique Wazoku Crowd of 700,000+ global Problem Solvers.

Wazoku calls this 'connected collective intelligence'

Find Wazoku at www.Wazoku.com

Paolo Gallo The Seven Games of Leadership

17 januari 2024 | 65 min

Dancing with Monsters with Todd Dewett

10 januari 2024 | 55 min

Join us for "Dancing with Monsters," an episode that explores the fears and monsters that inhabit our personal and professional lives with Todd Dewett, author of the insightful book with the same title. This podcast delves into the transformative journey of overcoming fears, embracing imperfections, and building the confidence needed for success.

In this episode, Todd unfolds the captivating tale of Joe, the protagonist on a mission to confront his fears.

Listeners will discover how wearing masks and hiding behind excuses can be exhausting, and how authenticity and vulnerability are essential for personal and professional growth. Todd shares lessons from Joe's youth, highlighting the impact of failed leadership missions and the importance of sincerity over insincerity.

The podcast explores the concept of fear and addresses the questions: What do you fear, and why do you fear it? Todd shares practical advice for overcoming fears, including identifying false constraints, building a support team, choosing perspective, and asking for help.

Empathy emerges as a central theme, as Joe develops empathy for his team, and they reciprocate. The podcast culminates in discussing desirable behaviours, including open-mindedness, proactivity, and authenticity, which are intricately linked to creativity and innovation.

As Todd concludes, he shares insights on the concept of "fit" in your career—how well who you are meshes with what you do. This podcast is an engaging exploration of the beauty in imperfections and the capability within each of us to create amazing work.

Join Todd Dewett to embrace authenticity, kindness, vulnerability, humility, and the power of being the change in your own life.

Connect with Todd Dewett: www.drdewett.com

Episode Highlights:

Unravelling the opening tale of Maria, Noah, and the toxic team, along with the intriguing character, Miles.
Exploring Joe's journey, drawing on communication lessons from his grandfather's vampire training academy.
Analyzing the impact of fear and failed leadership missions on personal and professional development.
Discussing the importance of authenticity, vulnerability, and empathy in overcoming fears and achieving success.
Addressing thought-provoking questions: What do you fear? Why do you fear?
Sharing practical advice for overcoming fears, including identifying false constraints, building a support team, and choosing perspective.
Reflecting on desirable behaviors for personal and professional growth.
Delving into the concept of "fit" in your career—aligning your personality, skills, and interests with job demands.

Join the conversation and let's go dancing with monsters!

"Strategy Manifestos" with Andrew Binns

8 januari 2024 | 22 min

ChatGPT

Welcome to part 2 of the Corporate Explorer series.

In this episode, titled "Strategy Manifestos," join Andrew Binns as he delves into corporate exploration, sharing insights from the Corporate Explorer Fieldbook.

Brought to you by Wazoku, the Corporate Explorer series is designed to uncover the depth of insight and experience within corporations, beyond the realm of management gurus and academics. In May 2022, Andy attended a conference at Bosch that sparked the inspiration for this episode, revealing the wealth of knowledge within corporations about corporate exploration.

The episode kicks off with a discussion on turning high-level corporate statements into empowering Strategy Manifestos. Co-authored by long-time client Andreas Brandstetter, Chapter 1 explores the crucial role of manifestos in aligning senior leaders on strategic ambitions and communicating these ambitions effectively.

Andy shares personal experiences as a corporate explorer, emphasizing the importance of a clear strategy. The Strategy Manifesto, while not a replacement for detailed strategy plans, makes explicit the company's strategic choices and provides the rationale for those decisions.

Discover the key element of the manifesto – portfolio allocation. Learn how companies can change their approach to R&D investment to focus on cross-business priorities, including areas of withdrawal or deliberate non-entry.

Moving on to the execution of the manifesto, Andy outlines five steps: developing a point of view, assembling facts and perspectives, drafting and iterating, addressing disagreements, and adapting for different audiences.

The episode concludes with five powerful approaches for corporate explorers to trigger change within their organizations. From outside-in exploration to cultivating sponsors, each approach requires time and commitment but holds the potential to create bottom-up pressure that shifts action at the top.

Tune in to "Strategy Manifestos" by Andrew Binns, part of the Corporate Explorer series sponsored by Wazoku, and gain actionable insights into driving innovation and strategy within your organization. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the uncharted territories of corporate excellence!

For those interested in Wazoku, find Wazoku at www.wazoku.com

Michael Tushman - The Corporate Explorer Series Introduction

5 januari 2024 | 13 min

3 Bio-Hack Devices for 2024

1 januari 2024 | 59 min

Built from Broken- Conquering Joint Pain and Rebuilding Your Body with Scott Hogan Final

29 december 2023 | 59 min

Join us in this episode as we dive deep into the science-based approach to healing painful joints with Scott Hogan, author of "Built from Broken: A Science-Based Guide to Healing Painful Joints." Scott challenges the common belief that joint pain is an inevitable part of aging, offering insights into corrective exercise, sports nutrition, and joint health. Discover the paradigm shift that can transform the way you perceive exercise and joint health, paving the way for a resilient body. Scott lays the foundation for understanding the five primary causes of joint pain and explores the effectiveness of load training in resolving joint issues.

Episode Highlights:

Understanding the concept of "Built from Broken" and how setbacks become building blocks for a stronger body.
The five primary causes of joint pain and strategies to prevent common injuries that trap individuals in the Pain/Injury Cycle.
Debunking myths about stretching and exploring the significance of load training in resolving joint pain.
Exploring mechanotransduction and how cells respond to mechanical stimuli in the body.
The importance of muscle mass in aging, its impact on metabolic health, and resistance training as a practical approach.
Addressing the contradiction in traditional weight training and the problems with bodybuilding routines.
The five primary causes of joint pain and dysfunction: posture, movement quality, muscle imbalances, tendinopathy, and arthritis aging collagen degradation.
Understanding different types of pain and a smarter approach to pain management.
Insights into chronic pain development and the role of neuroplasticity.
The three phases of inflammation and their relation to joint health.
Exploring low inflammatory and low carb diets in managing inflammation.
The role of exercise in decreasing inflammation and the benefits of resistance training.
Supplements for joint health and dispelling common myths about their effectiveness.
Strategies for resolving tendinopathy and understanding synovial fluid for joint lubrication.
The concept of hydrodynamic pressure and synovitis in joint recovery.
Factors that damage synovial fluid health in sedentary lifestyles and desk jobs.
The importance of collagen synthesis in connective tissue health and its role in rebuilding joints.
Connective tissue training principles for stronger joints and bones.
The significance of heavy lifting for bone density and the role of energy loading in preventing injuries.
Lifestyle factors that decrease collagen synthesis and five ways to increase collagen production.
The podcast concludes with the crucial lesson of avoiding sedentary habits and weekend warrior activities to prevent joint injuries.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into conquering joint pain and rebuilding your body with Scott Hogan's science-based approach. Don't miss this transformative discussion that challenges conventional wisdom and provides practical solutions for lasting joint health.

Find Scott here: https://saltwrap.com

Driving Innovation From Within with Kaihan Krippendorff

21 december 2023 | 48 min

Welcome to "Driving Innovation from Within: A Guide for Internal Entrepreneurs" with Kaihan Krippendorff. In this podcast, we embark on a journey to explore the world of internal innovation, challenging the pervasive myth that entrepreneurship is the sole driver of innovation. Kaihan shares insights from his book and extensive research, revealing the six vital attributes that distinguish successful internal innovators.

In the introductory episode, Kaihan reflects on his personal journey, delving into the realization that innovation can thrive within organizations, as exemplified by the success story of Jean Feiwel at MacMillan. T

The podcast dives into a survey conducted with 150 innovators, exploring key questions about the conception, development, and commercialization of transformative ideas. Kaihan challenges assumptions, debunking the idea that entrepreneurs overshadow corporate intrapreneurship. He emphasizes the role of founders in creating systems that empower employees to bring ideas to life.

The focus then shifts to the core attributes of the intrapreneur, exploring their ability to discover opportunities, evaluate and choose the right ones, take autonomous action, and mobilize resources. Kaihan introduces the concept of the "IN-OVATE" barriers, discussing how organizations unintentionally hinder innovation and offering solutions to overcome them.

Chapters unfold, detailing stories of successful internal innovators, such as Jen Feiwal, and introducing tools like the strategy pyramid for focusing searches on organizational needs. The podcast explores the importance of maintaining intent, understanding organizational needs, managing options, and overcoming value blockers.

The IDEAS acronym is unveiled, emphasizing the importance of creating a portfolio of options for innovation. The discussion delves into value blockers and how successful innovators navigate them, using examples like Xbox's journey. The tension between the traditional prove–plan–execute model and the innovative act–learn–build model is explored, showcasing the need for a paradigm shift in organizational thinking.

Kaihan introduces the advanced test loop, building on John Boyd's OODA loop, and emphasises the significance of assembling a cross-functional team. Seven steps to build an effective team are outlined, including removing organizational friction, aligning around a goal, and establishing a rapid rhythm.

The podcast concludes by discussing the complex political landscape of gaining support for new ideas, creating "islands of freedom" within organizations. Kaihan addresses the broader issue of employee disengagement and its economic and humanitarian implications, advocating for the reignition of creativity to foster growth and purpose.

Join us in "Driving Innovation from Within" as we unravel the secrets of internal entrepreneurship and inspire a new wave of creative thinking within organizations.

Find Kaihan ar www.kaihan.net

Outthink the Competition Kaihan Krippendorff Part 2

19 december 2023 | 52 min

Welcome to part 2 of “Outthink the Competition: How Innovative Companies and Strategists See Options Others Ignore". We. are joined by the Master OutThinker, Kaihan Krippendorf.

In this episode, we unravel the strategies that set apart the traditional playbook from the new playbook in the ever-evolving business landscape. In today's episode, we delve into the art of winning today's battleground to position yourself for success tomorrow, contrasting past strategies with the innovative approaches of today's outthinkers.

Our spotlight case study features PillPack, a revolutionary prescription management system founded by TJ Parker. Discover how PillPack disrupted the traditional pharmacy model by placing the customer at the core of its design decisions, forcing competitors like CVS and Walgreens to reconsider their approach.

Drawing inspiration from the wisdom of Sun Tzu, we explore the concept of coordinating the uncoordinated, where power is built without ownership. Learn how the shrinking of barriers transforms industry dynamics, allowing messages to be transmitted more quickly, reaching the right people, maintaining integrity, and fostering transparency.

Chapter by chapter, we unravel strategic patterns, from forcing two-front battles to the importance of being good and building "moral force." Discover the ancient military roots of being good, echoing the words of Karl von Clausewitz and its relevance in today's business landscape. Join us as we explore the art of creating something out of nothing, dissecting the anatomy of strategy and understanding the successful habits of outthinkers. From mental time travel and attacking interconnected systems to disruptive mindsets and shaping perceptions, we unveil the secrets that set the innovators apart from the imitators.

Find Kaihan here: https://kaihan.net

#BusinessStrategy #Innovation #Outthinkers #CompetitiveAdvantage #StrategicThinking #IndustryDisruption #Leadership #CaseStudy #Entrepreneurship #MarketTrends #BusinessInsights #FutureOfBusiness #DisruptiveTechnology #SuccessStrategies #CorporateLeadership #BusinessPodcast #ThoughtLeadership #StrategicPlanning #DigitalTransformation #WinningStrategies

Outthink the Competition Kaihan Krippendorff Part 1

14 december 2023 | 39 min

Kaihan Krippendorff - The Way of Innovation Part 2

9 december 2023 | 42 min

Welcome to Part 2 of "The Way of Innovation" - Kaihan Krippendorff, where we delve into "The Way" – a journey through the strategic elements that shape the life cycle of innovation. In this episode, we explore the transformative stages of Wood, Fire, and Earth, guided by the wisdom of Sun Tzu and the strategic insights of Kaihan Krippendorff.

Wood: Formation

Sun Tzu once emphasized the power that comes from formation, comparing it to growing wood and crafting a bow. The Wood phase of innovation demands dedication and faith, as progress may seem slow. Kaihan draws parallels with historical challenges, such as combating scurvy in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, illustrating the importance of perseverance when innovation seems still.

Discover the Three-Front Battle in this phase: convincing the organization, partners, and users. Learn about the seven tools that build resonance for your innovation, understanding that successful innovations break through resistance on a mental level.

Fire: Breakout

Once your innovation has formed its structure and attracted key supporters, it crosses the tipping point and enters the "Fire" phase. This is a chaotic yet pivotal stage, where speed, creativity, and understanding competitive behaviour are crucial. Kaihan shares principles such as postponing competitive response, shifting from strategy to tactics, and seizing the unexpected. Examples from Under Armour and Gatorade provide valuable insights into navigating this dynamic phase.

Earth: Consolidation

The journey through Fire is not complete without successful consolidation in the Earth phase. Companies that navigate Fire but fail at Earth risk losing ownership. Kaihan emphasizes the shift from a fast-paced, unorthodox movement to a more stable stance. Consolidating gains involves slowing the erosion of time and erecting new defenses, as illustrated by the example of Philips and the CD ROM.

Understand the importance of reinvention, as the cycle repeats itself. Discover how successful innovations can lock in clients, lock out competition, or lock up resources. Be wary of success, as complacency and arrogance can set in. Learn from the experiences of companies like Infosys, and follow the advice of Carlos Ghosn to avoid letting success mark the end of your story.

Join us in exploring the strategic shifts required for long-term success, as Kaihan unveils the secrets to prevent your innovation from running away and shares the final quote that ties together intuition and strategic decision-making. Tune in to unlock the wisdom that will guide your organization's creative flow.

#InnovationStrategy #BusinessInsights #StrategicShifts #KaihanKrippendorff

The Way of Innovation Part 1 with Kaihan Krippendorff

1 december 2023 | 49 min

Decoding The Thirty-Six Stratagems with Kaihan Krippendorff

25 november 2023 | 60 min

"Strategic Mastery Unveiled: Decoding The Thirty-Six Stratagems with Prof. Kaihan Krippendorff"

Description: Explore the fascinating world of strategic thinking with Professor Kaihan Krippendorff, a renowned Columbia Business School expert and OutThinker Network's founder. In this enlightening 4-part podcast series, Prof. Krippendorff delves into the timeless wisdom of The Thirty-Six Stratagems, an ancient Chinese text offering a toolkit for creative thinking in various contexts.

Uncover the strategic brilliance of historical military geniuses like Genghis Khan, Alexander the Great, and Napoleon Bonaparte, who achieved victories through strength and creativity. Prof. Krippendorff shares how The Thirty-Six Stratagems, a compilation of metaphors, provides a comprehensive vocabulary of competition, unveiling unexpected plans for success in negotiations, mergers, and more since 2003.

In Part 1, explore the origin story of The Thirty-Six Stratagems and gain insights into the first four laws, including the powerful concept of Yin Yang Polarity. Discover how embracing balance and complexity can give your business a competitive edge.

Part 2 delves into Wu Wei, or "going with the flow," as Prof. Krippendorff shares real-world applications of the first fourteen stratagems. Learn to catch your competitors off-guard, stage small attacks for strategic insights, and seize opportunities in moments of apparent weakness.

Part 3 introduces Wu Chang, emphasizing the importance of continuous change. Understand the difference between Eastern and Western views of change and explore how companies like Qualcomm, Whole Foods, and Walmart make decisions that lead to initial losses but set the stage for future victories.

Finally, in Part 4, delve into Shang Bing Wu Bing, the art of indirect action. Prof. Krippendorff unravels the mysteries behind the last seven stratagems, revealing how companies like Legend (Lenovo), Logitech, and others have strategically navigated alliances, created facades, and leveraged indirect actions for success.

Join us on this strategic journey as we unlock the secrets of The Thirty-Six Stratagems and apply ancient wisdom to modern business challenges. Don't miss this enlightening series that promises to reshape your approach to strategy and innovation. Subscribe now for a masterclass in strategic thinking!

Find Kaihan here:

https://kaihan.net/

Conquering Uncertainty - Theodore Modis Part 4

16 november 2023 | 47 min

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Welcome to the finale of the Theodore Modis podcast series. In this insightful episode titled "Conquering Uncertainty: Understanding Corporate Cycles and Positioning Your Company to Survive the Changing Environment," our guest, the author of "Conquering Uncertainty: Understanding Corporate Cycles and Positioning Your Company to Survive the Changing Environment," delves into the science of anticipating turning points in business with precision.

The discussion explores the natural pattern of substitutions in markets, emphasizing the importance of understanding S-shaped patterns in transitions between products, services, and technologies. The podcast highlights the significance of recognizing low-growth periods during major business transitions and the pitfalls of wishful thinking in minimizing these phases.

Drawing parallels to the natural seasons, the podcast breaks down the business cycle into Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall/Autumn. Each season is characterized by unique challenges and opportunities, offering valuable insights for executives navigating their companies through various stages. The metaphor is extended to the BCG Matrix, providing a fresh perspective on growth dynamics.

Listeners are treated to a detailed exploration of each season, from the survival-focused Winter to the strategic excellence of Summer, and the introspective, transformative aspects of Fall/Autumn. The episode discusses the author's new BCG Matrix version, aligning it with the metaphor of seasons to provide a comprehensive understanding of business evolution over time.

The podcast concludes with a thought-provoking discussion on the right strategies for different seasons, including divestment and acquisition strategies during periods of chaos and abundance. The guest shares insights on DEC's management decisions during challenging times, emphasizing the need for adaptability and transformation in the face of economic downturns.

Join us in this engaging episode as we unravel the mysteries of corporate cycles and gain valuable insights from the author of "Conquering Uncertainty: Understanding Corporate Cycles and Positioning Your Company to Survive the Changing Environment." Thank you for tuning in!

00:00:00.000 Introduction and Quote on Conquering Uncertainty 00:02:33.238 Just-in-Time Action and its Evolution 00:04:43.489 Using Seasons as an Analogy for Segmenting the Life Cycle 00:07:04.093 Selection Process and Hiring the Right People for Winter 00:09:02.723 Graphical Illustration of Horses and Cars Substitution 00:11:32.271 Splitting of Arthur Anderson and the Seasons of an Organization 00:14:34.757 The Need for Differentiation to Influence S-Curve Evolution 00:18:53.655 The Concept of Seasons in the Business Environment 00:21:08.212 Exploring the Characteristics of Winter in an Organization 00:22:21.956 The Power of Redesign and Fundamental Change 00:24:18.095 Transitioning from Winter to Spring: Nursing and Continuous Improvement 00:27:19.426 Drifting from Spring to Summer: Specialists to Bureaucrats 00:34:03.063 Understanding the different aspects of summer in business growth. 00:45:07.259 The Challenge of Company Reorganization

Find Theodore here: http://www.growth-dynamics.com/default.asp?page=books

An S-Shaped Adventure Part 3 with Theodore Modis

6 november 2023 | 33 min

In today's episode, we continue our exploration of the groundbreaking work of Theodore Modis as we delve into "An S-Shaped Adventure Part 3."

In this installment, we tackle the concept of "Just-In-Time Replacement," a strategy near and dear to marketers' hearts. Discover the delicate balance between launching new products too closely together, potentially frustrating customers, and delaying replacements, risking a loss of market share to competitors. We explore the critical question: When is the optimal moment to introduce change in an ongoing natural growth process?

We break down the science behind the "cascading S-curves," revealing the quantitative rule for achieving just-in-time product replacement. Explore how these nested S-curves influence industries, product families, and basic technologies, with each level sharing a common life cycle pattern but differing in duration.

Delve into various scenarios, including the lifecycles of products, product families, basic technologies, and the overarching economy. Understand the power of estimating overall saturation from life-cycle trends, providing insights into the growth potential of various entities within the market.

The episode explores the author's experiences in analyzing S-curves in different industries, from aircraft to DEC, offering valuable insights into the dynamics of market evolution.

We unravel the intriguing Volterra-Lotka equation, which mathematically represents predator-prey interactions and their effects on the dynamics of ecosystems. We discuss how this equation relates to the business world and the actions companies can take to alter their competitive landscape.

Explore various types of interactions between species and industries, from pure competition to predator-prey relationships, and understand how these dynamics play out in the business world.

The episode takes a deep dive into the concept of competition management and how the nature of competition can be transformed over time. Discover fascinating real-world examples of shifts in competitive roles and how they impact industries and products.

Find Theodore here: http://www.growth-dynamics.com/default.asp?page=books

00:00:00.000 Ponderings and Recap: S-Curves and Rabbit Metaphor 00:02:56.574 Genetic Modification of Business and Advertising Strategies 00:05:46.855 Optimum Time to Launch a Replacement Product and Harmonic Oscillator 00:10:34.227 Advice for Innovators Joining a Company 00:12:28.591 Understanding Nested S Curves and Product Life Cycles 00:21:40.995 Strategy department's role in analyzing and giving orders 00:23:31.432 Different types of relationships in business dynamics explained 00:32:13.713 Exploring New Topics and Directions

An S-Shaped Adventure Part 2 with Theodore Modis

2 november 2023 | 36 min

An S-Shaped Adventure 1 with Theodore Modis

26 oktober 2023 | 46 min

Yossi Sheffi - The Magic Conveyor Belt Part 3

21 oktober 2023 | 49 min

In 2020, the World Economic Forum estimated that AI might destroy 85 million jobs by 2025. A 2022 study by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that between 9 and 47% of jobs could be automated, particularly jobs requiring lower education levels or more routine tasks. Not surprisingly, workers, particularly low-skilled ones, perceive automation—specifically robots—as threatening their jobs. Fear and resentment toward job-stealing machines are not new. Throughout the series of overlapping industrial revolutions in history, many jobs were indeed diminished or replaced by machines. Yet, other jobs were created over time. Prof Yossi Sheffi shares his thoughts on the future of work and workers. We welcome back Professor Yossi Sheffi for the finale of our series on his book, "The Magic Conveyor Belt: Supply Chains, A.I., and The Future of Work."

00:00:00.000 The Impact of Automation on Jobs 00:02:39.488 The Fifth Industrial Revolution and Amplifying Human Creativity 00:03:46.708 Job Creation and Unemployment Rates 00:06:23.573 The Slow Pace of Job Displacement and Regulation 00:09:00.668 Technology Always Wins, Companies Must Invest in Workers' Skills 00:11:47.371 Negotiating for Skill Upgrades in the Advanced AI World 00:14:13.311 Regulation as a Short-Term Game, Reinvesting in Skills 00:16:12.024 The Impact of Automation on Logistics Jobs 00:17:26.473 The Rise of Autonomous Tracking and Workforce Preparation 00:19:36.312 The Impact of Model T on Job Creation 00:21:40.769 The Three Stages of Job Transformation: De-skilling, Scaling, Elimination 00:24:40.238 Job Changes and Creation in Automation 00:27:13.249 AI and Automation: Journalists' Fears and Future Job Opportunities 00:35:49.159 The Importance of Purpose After Retirement 00:36:50.790 The Importance of Investing in the Future 00:40:07.188 Staying Relevant in an Evolving Job Market 00:44:16.591 The Social Dimension of Automated Jobs 00:47:35.298 Embracing Change and Adapting to Working with Machines

That HBR article Yossi mentions:

https://hbr.org/2023/09/the-uaw-and-other-unions-must-focus-more-on-ai-and-automation-in-their-negotiations

Yossi Sheffi - The Magic Conveyor Belt Part 2

15 oktober 2023 | 55 min

Yossi Sheffi - The Magic Conveyor Belt Part 1

9 oktober 2023 | 63 min

Picking Presidents with Gautam Mukunda

3 oktober 2023 | 90 min

Pivot to the Future with Paul Nunes Part 7

27 september 2023 | 51 min

Pivot to the Future with Paul Nunes Part 6

22 september 2023 | 53 min

Big Bang Disruption with Paul Nunes Part 5

16 september 2023 | 49 min

Big Bang Disruption with Paul Nunes Part 4

9 september 2023 | 49 min

Big Bang Disruption with Paul Nunes Part 3

4 september 2023 | 60 min

Jumping the S-Curve - Paul Nunes Part 2

28 augusti 2023 | 73 min

Paul Nunes has found that what matters is not just climbing your current S-curve, which is what you do to reach the top of a single successful business. Instead, he emphasises the equal importance of the moves you must make to your next business: making the jump to your future S-curve. His book reveals crucial insights for making such transitions, including: * Why traditional strategic planning won't allow you to find the "big-enough" market insights that are critical to superior performance * Why your top team must be refreshed before performance starts to wane * Why you need much more talent than you think, especially "serious talent" that will find you worthy of their time We welcome back for Par 2, “Jumping the S-Curve: How to Beat the Growth Cycle, Get on Top, and Stay There”, Paul Nunes.

00:00:00.094 Introduction and Importance of Recognizing Stall Points 00:01:51.468 The Real Question: Where Are You in Your Products? 00:09:00.634 Shifting Focus from Cool Phone Features to Reliable Networks 00:12:42.280 Potential Impact of 20% Price Increase on Buyers 00:12:49.050 The Power of Pricing and Competitors 00:15:46.209 The Importance of Scaling and Servicing Demand 00:19:14.833 Strategic Flexibility and Divestment for High Performers 00:23:15.986 The Danger of Fixating on Efficiency and Cost Management 00:25:00.592 Focusing on current success, time to think about next steps 00:29:03.240 The importance of seeing the bigger picture and avoiding tunnel vision 00:32:45.856 Waiting too long for the next big move 00:35:03.439 The Challenge of Technological Obsolescence 00:38:50.137 The Need for Resale Markets and Recycling 00:42:11.000 Letting Go of Stranded Assets in Business 00:46:44.796 Borrowing vs. Profits: Paying off the Mortgage 00:50:47.794 Add-Centric Strategy: Edge of the Organization and Edge of Chaos 00:57:29.565 The Nature of Strategic Transitions and Leadership Selection 01:02:34.211 Changing Management Succession and Ownership of Capabilities 01:05:34.274 Establishing Hotbed Conditions for Talent Development 01:10:28.171 Investing in People and Building Capable Teams

Jumping the S-Curve - Paul Nunes Part 1

25 augusti 2023 | 68 min

Paul Nunes has found that what matters is not just climbing your current S-curve, which is what you do to reach the top of a single successful business. Instead, he emphasises the equal importance of the moves you must make to your next business: making the jump to your future S-curve. His book reveals crucial insights for making such transitions, including: * Why traditional strategic planning won't allow you to find the "big-enough" market insights that are critical to superior performance * Why your top team must be refreshed before performance starts to wane * Why you need much more talent than you think, especially "serious talent" that will find you worthy of their time We welcome “Jumping the S-Curve: How to Beat the Growth Cycle, Get on Top, and Stay There”, Paul Nunes.

In this episode, we discuss

00:00:00.000 Filling the Gap: Repeated Peaks of Business Performance 00:06:38.522 The Origin: Defining High-Performance Business 00:09:34.223 Kroger's Mistake: Not Investing in the Future 00:12:23.282 Creating Sustained Value and Jumping an S-Curve 00:16:49.711 The Nature of S-Curves and Technology's Impact 00:20:07.341 Jumping Three Curves Simultaneously: A Mind-Blowing Challenge 00:23:44.811 The Zenith Example: Jumping S-Curves or Getting Left Behind 00:26:29.471 The Importance of Big Hairy Audacious Goals 00:28:26.303 The Problem with BHAG and Matching Aspirations to Capabilities 00:34:11.000 The Importance of Listening to Insights and Sourcing Strategy 00:38:48.440 Average and low performers rely on their phones too much 00:41:53.306 The missed step of Apple with iTunes and the acquisition of Beats 00:44:59.325 Balancing short-term profits and investing in future waves 00:48:20.841 Balancing streaming profits and investing in new content creation 00:50:59.949 Surprising Price Difference in India 00:51:06.609 Scaling too hastily can lead to problems 00:54:16.844 The importance of understanding what creates value before scaling 01:00:30.502 Designing with shared components in automotive industry 01:03:32.600 Price point and competence before scaling in consumer products 01:06:29.449 Collecting vinyl records and now books

Private Lawns, Planning: Protection or Growth

24 augusti 2023 | 11 min

"Priorities are determined by the relative strengths of your needs in relation to the range of opportunities afforded by your current circumstances." - Mark Solms. In his book, "Homo Deus", Yuval Noah Harari explains that lawns offered no practical value - they weren't used for grazing animals or growing food. The size and neatness of the lawn became an undeniable symbol of status, a peacock display of wealth that couldn't be imitated. Devoting precious land or time to a lawn was unthinkable for peasants. For them, a 'lawn', if they had any, was not for relaxation but for survival, used to grow food. This historical nugget came to mind recently as I spoke to Neuropsychologist and author of 'The Hidden Spring', Mark Solms. Mark explains that needs and actions are interconnected and must be prioritized based on urgency. For example, we become aware of the need to go to the bathroom when it becomes urgent, a concept referred to as "latchkey urgency". This concept of prioritising needs also applies to organisations, which must determine critical needs based on their current circumstances. For example, I briefly worked as head of Innovation in a large bureaucratic organisation. I should have done my homework on the organisation and presumed we could foster a culture of innovation. However, I soon realised the reality of this week's Thursday Thought. You must also prioritise in an organisation. You cannot paint #innovation over the rust of a toxic culture. You must first tend to the "cultural lawn" before adding the innovative decor. This is even more pronounced if an organisation is fighting for survival. In "Organisational Fight or Flight Mode", businesses tend to double down on what we already know and become resistant to anything new. Research from former Innovation Show guest Bruce Lipton provides an interesting parallel. His work shows that cells switch between 'protection and' growth modes' based on the surrounding environment and signals from the environment, body, and brain. When a cell perceives a threatening environment, it focuses on protection, thus preventing growth. Conversely, the cell thrives in a non-threatening environment, promoting growth. The same can be applied to humans and their work environments. In a psychological climate of fear, people are less likely to take creative risks or invest in long-term planning. However, when the environment is supportive and non-threatening, individuals are more likely to thrive, plan, and grow. This is where the privilege of having a 'private lawn' comes into play. The 'private lawn' is the ability to have the time and space to plan, think and grow. For some of us, daily survival consumes all our time and energy, leaving no room for strategic thinking or planning. As business leaders, creating an environment where everyone can access their 'private lawn' - a space for growth, planning, and forward-thinking is crucial. However, we must also plan by priority.

Mark Solms - The Hidden Spring Part 9: Making a Mind and The Hard Problem

22 augusti 2023 | 58 min

Mark Solms - The Hidden Spring Part 8: A Predictive Hierarchy

19 augusti 2023 | 64 min

The Homeostatic Organisation / Organism

17 augusti 2023 | 9 min

"No structure, even an artificial one, enjoys the process of entropy. It is the ultimate fate of everything, and everything resists it.' - Philip K. Dick

Homeostasis refers to the maintenance of relatively constant internal conditions in an organism. For example, we maintain a body temperature of around 98.6°F (37°C). In a cold environment, we shiver to return to this temperature. In a warm climate, we cool ourselves down to restore balance.

In our 9-part series on The Innovation Show, Mark Solms explains the relationship between homeostasis and entropy. Entropy is the natural tendency of things to lose order and fall into chaos. It's why ice melts; batteries lose charge, billiard balls stop, and hot water merges with cold. Homeostasis resists entropy. It keeps us in a limited range of ideal states, like a perfect body temperature. Our bodies need a constant energy supply to maintain homeostasis and resist entropy. Energy can be useful or useless, depending on its ability to work. As useful energy depletes, system entropy increases. This explains why our bodies eventually decline. We need to generate effort to counter entropy, like a balance.

This includes exercising to prevent muscle loss, learning new skills for job relevance, and innovating to stay competitive. Like organisms, organisations are living entities that constantly need to reinvent and regenerate energy to maintain balance. Organisations can become stagnant, with experienced managers sometimes lacking the initiative to innovate or drive change. This can lead to inefficiencies and bureaucracy, causing the organisation to become less effective over time. If you think of people as molecules of energy, they dissipate and find areas of the business where they can do the least amount possible. Bureaucracy grows like a bacterial plaque throughout the organisation. The lifeblood of the organisation clogs up and becomes less effective. Information flows become inefficient, like varicose veins. In effect, the organisation atrophies.

Injecting new energy into an organisation can revitalise it, realign its workforce, and increase efficiency. As discussed in my book "Undisruptable", this continuous revitalisation is essential for an organisation's health, especially during rapid technological change.

Resisting entropy is a fundamental function of living things. Similarly, organisations that resist change become victims of entropy, disrupting the balance of their systems and tipping the scales towards entropy. Maintaining homeostasis is not an event. It is a continual process. Maintaining success requires effort, constant renewal and permanent reinvention.

Mark Solms - The Hidden Spring Part 7: Free Energy

17 augusti 2023 | 53 min

Mark Solms - The Hidden Spring Part 6: The P.A.G.

12 augusti 2023 | 56 min

The Adversity Advantage Today's Struggles Brew Tomorrow's Strength

10 augusti 2023 | 11 min

The struggle you're in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow. - Robert Tew In a world of abundance, we take many things for granted. Our morning coffee is one such example. A morning brew helps many of us win the battle to wake up by winning a neurochemical war. However, there is another battle that takes place using chemical warfare. The battlefield? The dense, green foliage of the coffee plantation. Align to the left Align in the middle Resize to full width Align to the right Add a link to the embedded image Add alt text Delete image No alt text provided for this image Created using AI Like any crop, coffee plants are subject to attack by pests. Many plants and trees have developed fascinating defence mechanisms to protect themselves against such attacks. (Like the stinging nettle to the human touch) When insects nibble on the foliage of coffee plants, they release defence compounds. One of the defence mechanisms of coffee plants is the production of caffeine. Caffeine acts as a natural insecticide, deterring and even poisoning certain insects that attempt to feed on the plant. The caffeine content in coffee leaves and beans is toxic to many insects, making them less attractive to pests and reducing the likelihood of severe infestations. In addition to caffeine, coffee plants release an acid called chlorogenic acid. This acid acts as a natural fungicide and insecticide for the plant. When we drink our cup of coffee, we also drink these compounds. Chlorogenic acid is a powerful antioxidant and helps with weight loss, blood sugar control, and heart disease prevention. However, while protecting coffee plants with pesticides and insecticides might seem beneficial, this prevents the release of chlorogenic acid. Without insect attacks, the plant does not undergo stress or produce beneficial acids. Hormesis is a process whereby a beneficial effect (improved health, stress tolerance, growth or longevity) results from exposure to low doses of a toxin or stressor. Hormesis has been studied extensively with ageing. Researchers found that introducing stressors like intermittent fasting, exercise, and cold shower therapy produces resilience and anti-ageing effects. For example, when an optional cold shower activates a mild fight or flight response, it increases our tolerance for the cold and can guard us against catching a cold. Just as we can build up our tolerance for poisons, we can improve our tolerance for adversity. This coffee narrative is a helpful metaphor that resonates in our lives and business. It's about the essentiality of struggle and how it moulds us, adding depth and substance to our existence. Just as the coffee plant needs the insect's bite to release its acid and liberate its flavour, we must struggle to bring out the best in ourselves. This is the paradoxical advantage of adversity. The Adversity Advantage: Nurturing Resilience In our forthcoming series, with former Executive Director of Research for the Accenture Institute for High Performance, Paul Nunes explains how high-performance companies develop a hothouse of talent. Paul tells us, "Talent hothouses are like agricultural greenhouses". A company needs to start with the right seeds to ensure early success for the vast majority. As those seedlings grow, leaders must find ways to prepare high-potential talent for inevitable challenges ahead. That preparation includes steps to increase their hardiness, so managers must regularly expose employees to unfamiliar ideas and ways of thinking." High-performance businesses create environments—often highly challenging—for employees to acquire the skills and experience needed to climb up the corporate ladder quickly. The goal is partly to create what our Accenture colleague Bob Thomas, in his book on the topic, calls “crucible” experiences. These life-changing events, whether on the job or not, hold lifetime lessons that can be mined to help transform someone into a leader." “You learn ten times more in a crisis than during normal times.” - A.G. Lafley Alan George "A.G." Lafley was the leader of Procter & Gamble on two separate occasions, from 2000 to 2010 and again from 2013 to 2015, during which he served as chairman, president and CEO. Lafley built muscles that served him well in later life when he led P&G in Asia during a time of economic collapse. According to Paul Nunes' research, the high-performers orchestrate crucible moments with stretch assignments or early promotions where people learn on the job. Paul identifies how some top performers assigned unfamiliar tasks to up-and-coming managers by assuming a “popcorn stand” approach. This is when they give high-potential employees a tiny business unit to manage—for example, the local operations of a small geographic market. The goal is to provide those individuals with the whole profit-and-loss experience of running a business—leading a team, serving a customer base, negotiating contracts, etc. And the organisation gets an early look at how the employees respond to that challenge—an essential piece of data because past results are typically the best predictor of a worker’s future performance. Failing towards Success: "Prediction Errors" In our current series on The Innovation Show with Mark Solms, Mark explains how the human brain learns by "prediction errors". A prediction error is the difference between what our brain expects and what actually happens. It's a mathematical term used in neuroscience to explain how our brain updates its expectations based on new experiences. This process is crucial for survival as it allows us to anticipate, plan, and react to the world around us. It's important to understand that prediction errors are not necessarily signs of failure. Quite the opposite, they can be integral to learning and growth. In the same way, high performers understand that failure shouldn’t necessarily be a firing offence. They encourage employees to take calculated risks and tolerate occasional poor outcomes as long as the results don’t stem from stupid mistakes—and as long as lessons have been learned. Sometimes, these companies even reward failure in pursuing learning and innovation. I leave you this week with the words of David Bowie because the stretch assignments work both ways; they help you prepare future leaders and help future leaders stay with you as they continue to grow... “If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little out of your depth, and when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.” - David Bowie. Thanks for Reading, Now, for that Coffee

Mark Solms - The Hidden Spring Part 5: Feelings 2

8 augusti 2023 | 50 min

Mark Solms - The Hidden Spring Part 4: Feelings 1

4 augusti 2023 | 55 min

Hire For Neurosignature, Train for Skill: The Brain is Like a Waterbed

2 augusti 2023 | 20 min

The first in a new project on The Innovation Show.

Hire For Neurosignature, Train for Skill: The Brain is Like a Waterbed "Autists are not just square pegs in the round hole of society. The real problem isn't the challenge of fitting them in, it's that in trying to do so we risk destroying their unique shape." — Paul Collins

The parents of an autistic young man approached a local convenience store, hoping to secure a job for their son. The retail chain manager, hesitant due to his team's lack of experience with special needs, said he would give the kid a chance. On his inaugural day, the manager tasked the young man with organizing food items by their expiration dates on a single shelf. He figured it would take him at least the whole day. To the manager's astonishment, the young man had meticulously arranged every shelf in the store in just three hours. This young man, perceived as disabled, viewed sorting produce by date as a delightful puzzle. His neurodiversity brought joy to the task and put him in a flow state. But the story doesn't end there. Harnessing the youngster's unique ability, the retailer employed him to travel between stores, solving his 'puzzles' and sorting food items. This valuable skill saved the retailer a significant amount of wastage and helped them to achieve their sustainability goals. Today, this young man earns so much that his father left his previous job to chauffeur his son (who cannot drive) around the country, solving puzzles for the retail chain.

“We all have a calling. Each one of us has a role to play on this planet. When we play the instrument that is meant for us in the orchestra of life, we will be in a constant state of bliss” - Joe Vitale

The moral of the story? Everyone has a unique place if the world gives them a chance.

Unfortunately, a story like this is scarce. The unfortunate reality was recognised best by one of the great geniuses of our times, Albert Einstein, who said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by Its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid”. Because the work system is set up for efficiency, it caters for the majority. It is a drain on resources to cater to everyone. It is even more challenging to interview "everyone", so we hire for homogeneity. And somewhat understandably, as human resources, people officers and hiring executives are already stretched to the maximum. Companies are dealing with a tumultuous business environment. They are preoccupied with quenching multiple fires: AI, digitalisation, remote work, supply chain volatility, business model shifts, data, GDPR, inflation, housing crises, pandemics and even wars. The modern workplace is structured like a fine-cut diamond—rigid, linear, and sparkling with hierarchy. This construct, drawn from centuries of church and military organisation, may bring a semblance of order, but it simultaneously smothers the potential of those who don't fit the mould. Neurodiverse individuals can struggle in these traditional environments. Executives often overlook them (or ignore them outright) due to their distinctive ways of processing information, unique patterns of thought and behaviour, and distinctive communication styles. To ensure that these square pegs aren't shoehorned into round holes, we need to rethink the design of our workplaces. We must build environments that foster neurodiversity rather than suppress it.

The modern workplace is more like a network of networks, teams of teams, nuanced and complex. The brain works similarly; the brain is more about connection than calculation. Understanding this can help executives update the workplace. Imagine a world where everyone got to use their talents and didn't have to shore up their weaknesses and, in many cases, disguise those weaknesses. That is the focus of this week's Thursday Thought.

The Brain is like a Waterbed

Imagine the brain as a waterbed. When one area is pushed down, or in the case of the brain, damaged, underdeveloped or overdeveloped, the other regions fill the void. This phenomenon mirrors what is known as the 'waterbed effect'. Just as the water in a waterbed redistributes when pressure is applied, the brain can restructure and adapt when certain abilities are not utilised. This isn't necessarily a sign of deficiency. On the contrary, it indicates the brain's wonderful compensatory capacities. When we neglect or underutilise some capacities, the brain develops and restructures in ways that enable us to get even greater capacity out of other aspects. Neurodiversity speaks to different types of intelligence, learning styles, communication styles, appetite for risk, openness to change and much more. When someone has a different "setting", they are not disabled. They are, as singer Danny Deardorff put it, we are all “differently abled.” The people who succeed in the workplace (and education system) do so mainly because their intelligence matches the dominant paradigm or they have found ways to adapt to the mainstream (and perhaps mask their true selves).

Neurosignature: The Neurochemical Graphic Equaliser

As a kid, I loved our family's hi-fi system. It had a record deck, cassette decks, an amplifier, a subwoofer and a graphic equaliser. They are so out of date tod that I found it difficult to find an image to illustrate what I mean, but the image above does a good job. Just as the graphic equaliser displays the signature of an audio output, I visualise the brain doing the same with the signature of our neurochemicals composition.

"Setting up a brain-friendly workplace that is naturally attractive to all neurosignatures has wide-ranging benefits. It’s far easier to reform the workplace than it is to change people. Let people play to their strengths instead of wasting energy trying to change their personalities. - Friederike Fabritius, Episode 418

One person's treasure is another's junk; what one person finds interesting is drip torture to another. What if our workplaces were crafted to harmonize everyone's unique brain patterns, or what our recent guest on the Innovation Show, Friederike Fabritius, refers to as their 'neurosignature'? Our brain structures are as unique as our fingerprints. Friederike tells us four powerful elements shape our personalities: dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters and estrogen and testosterone hormones. These neurotransmitters are the brain's messengers between nerve cells or neurons. Like different songs on a graphic equaliser, we each display a distinct neurosignature.

High-dopamine individuals love to explore and try new things. They thrive in ambiguity and crave change. They bring humour and fun to the workplace and can be very charismatic and inspiring. They're often innovators, changemakers, inventors and entrepreneurs. They get bored easily and are always looking for the next thrilling project. These individuals are vibrant, imaginative, and spontaneous. They are also typically optimistic and generous. However, they can be reckless, susceptible to addictions and lack attention to detail. Organisations should provide them with creative freedom and autonomy to keep them engaged. They love fresh projects, regular promotions, and job mobility. Avoid stifling them with excessive routine, or they may lose their spark. High-dopamine individuals can sometimes overwhelm others with their energy, love for change, and occasional impatience.

Serotonin People high in serotonin are reliable, detail-oriented, cautious, and loyal. They thrive on routine and structure and enjoy consistency and stability.

Testosterone People high in testosterone are tough-minded, direct, and enjoy wielding power. They tend to be analytical and use systems thinking, which involves moving logically from one step to the next to solve a problem based on a system’s “rules.” They enjoy tinkering with “systems” such as car engines or computers.

Estrogen People high in estrogen are empathetic and good at building personal connections and community. Estrogen increases the secretion of oxytocin, which enhances feelings of bonding and trust. This neurosignature excels at nonlinear “lateral thinking,” which involves examining a problem from multiple angles until insights emerge. Lateral thinkers are also good at envisioning the long-term implications of a decision.

Imagine how demoralizing and exhausting it must be for an autist to conform or someone with ADHD to engage in mundane work. Someone with a distinct neurosignature fighting their true identity all day can leave you deflated and depressed. Friederike shares some fascinating research from NeuroColor, that shows how roughly 28% of men in the general population and around 72% of women exhibit traits associated with the high-estrogen brain. The data reinforces that gender should never be used to stereotype anyone’s personality or thinking style. Your gender affects your neurosignature, but it does not determine your neurosignature.

In a recent episode of the Innovation Show, our guest Charles Conn lauded the value of what he calls a "Dragonfly Eye Mindset", seeing the world through different lenses. He shares how Lawrence Fung of Stanford’s Neurodiversity Project observed that successful problem solvers in Silicon Valley often show signs of being on the neurodiverse spectrum. Such individuals “have a unique ability to connect the dots, which allows them to reach conclusions quickly. Neurodiverse individuals have cognitive tendencies to look at the details first before the bigger picture, contrary to how most people dissect an issue, essentially broaching an issue from a very different lens or level.”

A Final Thought “A lot of different flowers make a bouquet.” -Islamic proverb The world has changed immeasurably, and societies face increasing levels of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity). If times have changed, then the composition of the teams to master those times must change. Homogeneous teams operated well in relative stability; These groups excel at incremental change, process improvements and exploitation of an existing competitive advantage. Diverse teams, on the other hand, summon a larger set of skills and perspectives. Neurodiversity is ideal for creative innovation challenges when the future is ambiguous, and the path is non-linear. In a changing workplace, rather than hiring solely based on skill, we might consider a candidate's neurosignature. Each neurosignature brings unique strengths to the table. Hiring for neurosignature and training for skill might lead to higher workplace happiness, higher revenue and lower employee turnover.

Our guest on the Innovation Show a couple of weeks ago was Helen Edwards. Helen observes, "The more people differ in their ethnicity, gender, background, age and sexuality, the greater the likelihood that they will have encountered different marginal behaviours and life choices. Combine that with a declared celebration of diversity of thought. You will get people speaking up for those marginal behaviours in corporate decisions: innovation programmes, new product development, new market categories, new routes to growth. This enhanced diversity on the inside is one of the reasons we will see more ways to satisfy the extraordinary behavioural diversity that exists – hitherto often unrecognized – in contemporary society."

With a deliberate aim, I've sprinkled this week's Thursday Thought with quotes from a kaleidoscope of neurosignatures and sources. Yet, there's one sentiment that truly encapsulates the essence of the theme. It's from the luminous Maya Angelou, who beautifully pronounced, “In diversity, there is beauty, and there is strength.”

Mark Solms - The Hidden Spring Part 3: The Cortical Fallacy

1 augusti 2023 | 63 min

Mark Solms - The Hidden Spring Part 2: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness

30 juli 2023 | 70 min

Mark Solms - The Hidden Spring Part 1: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness

28 juli 2023 | 69 min

LIVE SHOW: Greg Satell - How to Save the World From AI

21 juli 2023 | 38 min

LIVE SHOW: Phaedra Boinodiris - AI for the Rest of Us

20 juli 2023 | 31 min

Helen Edwards - From Marginal to Mainstream Part 2

13 juli 2023 | 47 min

Helen Edwards - From Marginal to Mainstream Part 1

9 juli 2023 | 58 min

Edward D. Hess - Own Your Work Journey!

5 juli 2023 | 60 min

George and Linda Pransky - Life is a Metaphor

30 juni 2023 | 19 min

Why We Mind Wander - Mark Solms

27 juni 2023 | 5 min

Dr Robert Hogan - Leadership, Humility and Competition

26 juni 2023 | 23 min

David Cutler - The GAME of Innovation

22 juni 2023 | 52 min

Charles Conn - The Imperfectionists

14 juni 2023 | 52 min

Sven Smit - Strategy Beyond the Hockey Stick

8 juni 2023 | 50 min

Marty Cagan - Empowered: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products

31 maj 2023 | 63 min

Bill Aulet - Disciplined Entrepreneurship

26 maj 2023 | 46 min

Bob Moesta - Learning to Build

20 maj 2023 | 64 min

Derek van Bever - Stall Points

14 maj 2023 | 79 min

Karen Dillon - The Microstress Effect

8 maj 2023 | 71 min

Aidan McCullen - Here Be Dragons on (The Disruptive Voice)

4 maj 2023 | 51 min

Sarah Stein Greenberg - Creative Acts For Curious People

1 maj 2023 | 55 min

Ambidextrous Leadership - TJ Rodgers and Charles O'Reilly III

29 april 2023 | 52 min

The Corporate Explorer in The Field - Balaji Bondili and Andrew Binns

26 april 2023 | 49 min

Andrew Binns - The Corporate Explorer

22 april 2023 | 90 min

Charles O'Reilly III and Michael L. Tushman - Lead and Disrupt

20 april 2023 | 57 min

Charles O'Reilly III - Winning Through Innovation Part 2

17 april 2023 | 46 min

Winning Through Part 1 Innovation with Michael Tushman

10 april 2023 | 59 min

Kim B. Clark - The Interaction of Design Hierarchies and Market Concepts in Technological Evolution

6 april 2023 | 71 min

Efosa Ojomo - The Prosperity Paradox

1 april 2023 | 73 min

Derek van Bever - The Capitalist’s Dilemma

25 mars 2023 | 58 min

Bob Moesta - Jobs To Be Done

21 mars 2023 | 57 min

Taddy Hall- Competing Against Luck

17 mars 2023 | 78 min

Karen Dillon - Part 2: How Will You Measure Your Life?

13 mars 2023 | 44 min

Karen Dillon - How Will You Measure Your Life?

12 mars 2023 | 63 min

Hal Gregersen - The Innovator's DNA

7 mars 2023 | 66 min

Mark W. Johnson - Reinventing Your Business Model

5 mars 2023 | 45 min

Michael B Horn. - Disrupting Class

1 mars 2023 | 77 min

Scott D. Anthony - Seeing What's Next

23 februari 2023 | 67 min

Michael E. Raynor - The Innovator’s Solution

19 februari 2023 | 64 min

Paul Carlile - The Cycles of Theory Building

15 februari 2023 | 81 min

Ron Adner - Asymmetric Motivation and Skills

8 februari 2023 | 45 min

Clark G. Gilbert on Dual Transformation

1 februari 2023 | 53 min

Discovery-Driven Planning with Rita Gunther McGrath The Clayton Christensen Tribute

29 januari 2023 | 62 min

We covered the Innovator’s Dilemma with Matthew Christensen in the first part of this series, but we did not cover Chapter 7 of the Innovator’s Dilemma,that chapter Is entitled “Discovering New and Emerging Markets” It opens as follows:

“Markets that do not exist cannot be analyzed: Suppliers and customers must discover them together. Not only are the market applications for disruptive technologies unknown at the time of their development, they are unknowable. The strategies and plans that managers formulate for confronting disruptive technological change, therefore, should be plans for learning and discovery rather than plans for execution. This is a crucial point to understand because managers who believe they know a market’s future will plan and invest very differently from those who recognize the uncertainties of a developing market.”

You may know those to be the words of Clayton Christensen, but what you may not know is that this concept of discovery-driven growth stems from the work of a very special friend of the Innovation Show, it is an immense pleasure to welcome Rita McGrath.

Topics Covered on this episode:

00:00:00 - Intro and Sponsor

00:02:28 Rita McGrath Welcome

00:04:15 Clayton Christensen Relationship

00:07:35 Discovery-Driven Planning

00:12:05 Client Example of Too Attached to Outcome

00:13:23 Redefining Failure: Failing Fast is Not Always Failing

00:14:04 Example of Varo Bank

00:18:51 KittyHawk Example

00:20:54 The Role of Luck

00:24:51 Honda SuperCub and NonConsumers

00:27:50 Jobs To Be Done and The McLean Hamburger

00:29:51 Origins of Discovery-Driven Planning

00:31:41 Most Mutations in Nature Fail, as do most ideas

00:32:47 Origins of Innovation Thinking From Schumpeter to Today

00:34:08 Discovery-Driven Planning Overview in a Nutshell

00:37:55 Disasters: EuroDisney

00:42:09 Disasters: PolaVision

00:43:15 Organisational Capabilities, Arenas and Kao

00:46:23 Selling an Idea to a CFO/Incumbent Gatekeeper

00:51:06 UPM Example: United Paper Mills Example

00:55:00 R.A.C.E.

Find Rita here:

https://www.ritamcgrath.com/

Find Valize here:

https://www.valize.com/

Joseph L. Bower - Disruptive Technologies: Catching the Wave

25 januari 2023 | 62 min

The Innovator's Dilemma with Matthew Christensen

22 januari 2023 | 75 min

The Brain-Friendly Workplace with Friederike Fabritius

17 januari 2023 | 94 min

The Language Game - Nick Chater and Morten H. Christiansen

11 januari 2023 | 98 min

The Exploit-Explore Continuum with Alex Osterwalder

5 januari 2023 | 23 min

Everything Is a Story - Martin Grunburg

30 december 2022 | 15 min

The Banking Reinvention Quadrant with Paolo Sironi

26 december 2022 | 24 min

MOJO Meetings and Wreckoon - Paul Cobban

20 december 2022 | 14 min

Netflix Blockbuster and The Innovators Dilemma with Matt Christensen

15 december 2022 | 10 min

Nature of Work: The New Story of Work for a Living Age

7 december 2022 | 74 min

Surveillance States with Barry O'Sullivan

3 december 2022 | 16 min

Jayshree Seth - The 6 Most Common Innovation ERRORS!

30 november 2022 | 19 min

Fun, Fear and Focus with Friederike Fabritius

28 november 2022 | 14 min

Signals with Jeff Desjardins

27 november 2022 | 63 min

The Fintech Book with Susanne Chishti

23 november 2022 | 45 min

The Scheherazade Method: Change a Person’s Mind

17 november 2022 | 16 min

The End of Meta/Facebook: Lying as a business model with Rita McGrath

16 november 2022 | 9 min

TEASER: The Importance of Play with Mark Solms

14 november 2022 | 10 min

Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away with Annie Duke

9 november 2022 | 106 min

Is Agenda Theatre Ruining Your Meetings? with Dr Ashley Whillans

7 november 2022 | 8 min

Don’t Let Hierarchy Stifle Innovation with Timothy R. Clark

4 november 2022 | 10 min

Coffee and the Brain with Helena Boschi

1 november 2022 | 9 min

Supertrends Part 2 with Lars Tvede

31 oktober 2022 | 35 min

Banks and Fintech on Platform Economies with Paolo Sironi

25 oktober 2022 | 62 min

Supertrends Part 1 with Lars Tvede

24 oktober 2022 | 70 min

Top 10 Innovation Shortcuts Company Leaders Should Avoid with Tendayi Viki

19 oktober 2022 | 13 min

Gay, Straight, and the Reason Why with Simon LeVay

18 oktober 2022 | 49 min

Rita McGrath: What Case Studies Get Wrong

14 oktober 2022 | 9 min

Hate and the Brain with Professor Matt Williams

10 oktober 2022 | 63 min

Algorithms of Hate with Matthew Williams

7 oktober 2022 | 40 min

Five Fatal Habits of Innovation with Geoff Marlow

5 oktober 2022 | 15 min

The Science of Hate with Matthew Williams

3 oktober 2022 | 61 min

What To Do if Someone Gaslights You at Work with Art Markman

29 september 2022 | 11 min

The Female Prescription for Innovation with Fabienne Jacquet

26 september 2022 | 76 min

Getting On Board with the Board - David Fubini

23 september 2022 | 35 min

Hidden Truths Part 3 with David Fubini

20 september 2022 | 36 min

From Reopen to Reinvent with Michael Horn

18 september 2022 | 68 min

Creativity and the Brain with Helena Boschi

15 september 2022 | 27 min

Helena Boschi - Biases and the Brain

14 september 2022 | 29 min

Helena Boschi - Why We Do What We Do Part 1

12 september 2022 | 60 min

Anna Lembke - Dopamine Nation Part 1

10 september 2022 | 48 min

Anna Lembke - Dopamine Nation Part 2

8 september 2022 | 49 min

David Fubini - Hidden Truths Part 2

4 september 2022 | 34 min

Hidden Truths with David Fubini Part 1

1 september 2022 | 62 min

Joan C. Williams - Bias Interrupted Part 2

27 augusti 2022 | 50 min

Bias Interrupted with Joan C. Williams

26 augusti 2022 | 44 min

The Tough Stuff Live with Cody Royle

24 augusti 2022 | 52 min

Change: How to Make Big Things Happen with Damon Centola

22 augusti 2022 | 75 min

Jack Lewis - Sort Your Brain Out Part 2

17 augusti 2022 | 65 min

Sort Your Brain Out Part 1 with Jack Lewis

16 augusti 2022 | 55 min

Bank 4.0 with Brett King

11 augusti 2022 | 59 min

The Human Element with David Schonthal

8 augusti 2022 | 77 min

Framers Part 3 with Kenneth Cukier

3 augusti 2022 | 68 min

Framers Part 2 with Kenneth Cukier

31 juli 2022 | 74 min

VISA founder Dee Hock Tribute R.I.P.

29 juli 2022 | 12 min

52 years ago, our guest foresaw and implemented the foundations for the world’s first trillion-dollar organization. Back then, Visa was little more than a

set of unorthodox convictions about organization slowly growing in the mind of a young corporate rebel. Today, according to the Visa 2019 annual report,

payments and cash volume for the year was a staggering $11.6 trillion dollars, transactions processed on Visa’s networks totalled $138.3 trillion dollars and the year saw some 3.4 billion Visa cards in operation.

Our guest is the man who imagined this reality, who had a once-deemed-impossible vision 52 years ago, a vision which has become a concrete reality today.

He is a man who has a different view on what the next 50 years can deliver, but that vision will require a radical shift in mindset for every single one of us.

His book, "One from Many" is much more than the story of the scarcely believable events that brought Visa into being and led to its extraordinary success.

It is also the story of an introverted, small-town child, passionate to read, dream, and wander the woods, the youngest of six, born to parents with but an eighth-grade education.

It is a story of crushing confinement and interminable boredom in school and church, along with sharp, rising awareness of the chasm between how institutions profess to function

and how they actually do; what they claim to do for people and what they actually do to them.

It is about three compelling questions arising from that awareness that came to dominate his life:

Why are institutions, everywhere, whether political, commercial, or social, increasingly unable to manage their affairs?

Why are individuals, everywhere, increasingly in conflict with and alienated from the institutions of which they are part?

Why are society and the biosphere increasingly in disarray?

This is the story of a lifelong search for the answer to those questions, which had everything to do with the formation of Visa. It is a story of harbouring

four beasts that inevitably devour their keeper; ego, envy, avarice, and ambition; and of a great bargain, trading ego for humility, envy for equanimity, avarice for time, and ambition for liberty. It is a story of events impossible to foresee, that sent (a man of 92) him at 55 on (a journey) an odyssey more improbable than Visa, and infinitely more important. At 91, he is still in the midst of that odyssey

Beyond all else, it is a story of the future; of something trying to happen; of a four-hundred-year-old age rattling in its deathbed as another struggles to be born.

It is not just the story of today’s guest, although he is central to it. It is not just your story, or my story, (although you} although we are both in it. It is a story of everyone

A story of us all.

It is such an immense honour to welcome the founder and CEO Emeritus of Visa and author of the pioneering work "The Birth of the Chaordic Age" and its updated version "One from Many: VISA and the Rise of Chaordic Organization", Dee Hock

Byron Reese ACT III of Stories, Dice, and Rocks That Think

28 juli 2022 | 56 min

Framers with Kenneth Cukier: Make Better Decisions In The Age of Big Data

26 juli 2022 | 83 min

The Rise of Superman with Steven Kotler

23 juli 2022 | 54 min

The Matter With Things Part 3 with Iain McGilchrist

20 juli 2022 | 48 min

Stories, Dice, and Rocks That Think Act II with Byron Reese

18 juli 2022 | 54 min

The Matter With Things Part 2 with Iain McGilchrist

14 juli 2022 | 55 min

Stories, Dice, and Rocks That Think Act I with Byron Reese

12 juli 2022 | 54 min

The Magic of Sleep Thinking Part 2 with Eric Maisel

6 juli 2022 | 54 min

The Magic of Sleep Thinking Part 1 with Eric Maisel

3 juli 2022 | 52 min

Iain McGilchrist - The Matter With Things Part 1

1 juli 2022 | 66 min

Yes to the Mess Part 2: Surprising Leadership Lessons from Jazz with Frank Barrett

27 juni 2022 | 50 min

The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety Part 2 with Tim Clark

23 juni 2022 | 57 min

The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety with Tim Clark

21 juni 2022 | 53 min

The Creator Mindset with Nir Bashan Part 2

16 juni 2022 | 52 min

The Creator Mindset with Nir Bashan Part 1

12 juni 2022 | 56 min

Smart Change with Art Markman Part 2

8 juni 2022 | 51 min

Smart Change with Art Markman Part 1

6 juni 2022 | 52 min

The Perils of Perception with Bobby Duffy

3 juni 2022 | 108 min

LIVE: Choosing Courage LIVE with Jim Detert

31 maj 2022 | 31 min

Yes to the Mess with Frank Barrett

26 maj 2022 | 71 min

Kings of Crypto with Jeff John Roberts

24 maj 2022 | 71 min

Scale with Geoffrey West Part 4

19 maj 2022 | 113 min

Scale with Geoffrey West Part 3

15 maj 2022 | 68 min

Scale with Geoffrey West Part 2

9 maj 2022 | 75 min

Herb Cohen - Negotiate This!

5 maj 2022 | 77 min

Scale with Geoffrey West

2 maj 2022 | 94 min

Rishad Tobaccowala - Restoring the Soul of Business

27 april 2022 | 56 min

Guy Perelmuter - Present Future Part 4

22 april 2022 | 63 min

Gorillas Can Dance Part 4 with Shameen Prashantham

20 april 2022 | 46 min

Gorillas Can Dance Part 3 with Shameen Prashantham

19 april 2022 | 51 min

Gorillas Can Dance Part 2 with Shameen Prashantham

15 april 2022 | 54 min

Gorillas Can Dance Part 1 with Shameen Prashantham

11 april 2022 | 69 min

Finding Inner Safety with Nerina Ramlakhan

8 april 2022 | 60 min

Dan Millman - Peaceful Heart, Warrior Spirit

6 april 2022 | 64 min

From Incremental to Exponential Part 3 with Ismail Amla

4 april 2022 | 44 min

Guy Perelmuter - Present Future Part 3

29 mars 2022 | 48 min

Red Team: How to Succeed by Thinking Like the Enemy with Micah Zenko

28 mars 2022 | 69 min

Guy Perelmuter - Present Future Part 2

21 mars 2022 | 69 min

From Incremental to Exponential Part 2 with Ismail Amla

17 mars 2022 | 40 min

Guy Perelmuter - Present Future Part 1

14 mars 2022 | 63 min

From Incremental to Exponential with Ismail Amla

13 mars 2022 | 57 min

The Exponential Era with David Espindola

11 mars 2022 | 89 min

The Curiosity Muscle with Diana Kander

8 mars 2022 | 64 min

Innovation Accounting with Esther-Emmely Gons and Dan Toma

1 mars 2022 | 106 min

Aligned with Hortense Le Gentil

22 februari 2022 | 75 min

Education in the Digital Age with Nadav Zeimer

15 februari 2022 | 102 min

Built to Innovate Part 5 with Ben M. Bensaou

12 februari 2022 | 59 min

The Art of Being Indispensable at Work with Bruce Tulgan

9 februari 2022 | 95 min

Built to Innovate Part 4 with Ben M. Bensaou

7 februari 2022 | 61 min

The Gig Mindset Advantage with Jane McConnell

1 februari 2022 | 98 min

Built to Innovate Part 3 with Ben M. Bensaou

29 januari 2022 | 63 min

Built to Innovate Part 2 with Ben M. Bensaou

25 januari 2022 | 74 min

Pierre Wack and the Origins of Scenario Planning with Art Kleiner

24 januari 2022 | 68 min

Built to Innovate Part 1 with Ben M. Bensaou

19 januari 2022 | 65 min

The Age of Heretics with Art Kleiner Part 3

17 januari 2022 | 54 min

When postwar American business was a vast sea of gray flannel suits and tasteful ties, a few unorthodox individuals were not so quietly shifting the paradigm toward the breezier, Google-ier workplace of today. These change agents include a raft of idealistic social scientists as well as nonacademics.

In this episode of the multi-part series, we highlight labor organizer Saul Alinsky, who pioneered the use of shareholder activism to open Kodak’s doors to more African Americans. Alinsky was the embodiment of the activist principle that behaving badly is sometimes necessary because, in the words of the civil-rights anthem, “The nice ways always fail.” If ever a neighborly company existed, that was Eastman Kodak. to those outside the company, particularly the black people of Rochester, the company was an object of seething resentment. It was the largest employer in Rochester, and it had never let them into the family.

In 1964 twenty thousand black residents lived in Rochester, crowded into a few neighborhoods where landlords rented to them. Most of them had come up from the southern states in search of jobs; now they lived in tenements with twenty-four or twenty-eight families squeezed into houses designed for two.

Enter Alinsky, whose organization, the Industrial Arts Foundation, had an unparalleled track record for teaching slum dwellers to improve their own neighborhood conditions, often beginning by winning over the neighborhood’s delinquent gangs. In principle, Kodak managers agreed that opportunities for blacks should be increased, but they didn’t see that this was Kodak’s responsibility. Let the blacks pull themselves up, as every other ethnic group in America had done, to the point where Kodak would want to hire them. Anyone who looked at both organizations could see that an impasse was inevitable.

We also discuss shareholder activism, CSR, ESG, and corporate activism. We welcome back the author of, “The Age of Heretics: A History of the Radical Thinkers Who Reinvented Corporate Management”

More about Art: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artkleiner/

Rare Breed with Sunny Bonnell

12 januari 2022 | 81 min

The Age of Heretics Part 2 with Art Kleiner

6 januari 2022 | 55 min

Flux with April Rinne

4 januari 2022 | 117 min

The Age of Heretics with Art Kleiner

1 januari 2022 | 86 min

Smart Growth with Whitney Johnson

29 december 2021 | 67 min

Radical Empathy with Terri Givens

20 december 2021 | 69 min

Behemoth, Amazon Rising with Robin Gaster

14 december 2021 | 74 min

The Uncertainty Mindset with Vaughn Tan

7 december 2021 | 82 min

The Human Edge Live with Greg Orme

1 december 2021 | 48 min

The Social Animal with Elliot Aronson

24 november 2021 | 113 min

You Are What You Risk with Michele Wucker

17 november 2021 | 92 min

Learn or Die with Ed Hess

10 november 2021 | 76 min

Kodak, The Inside Story with Inventor of the Digital Camera - Steve Sasson

3 november 2021 | 93 min

Disrupting Class Part 2 with Michael B. Horn

27 oktober 2021 | 37 min

Disrupting Class with Michael B. Horn

20 oktober 2021 | 80 min

The Elephant in the Brain: Hidden Motives in Everyday Life with Robin Hanson

14 oktober 2021 | 85 min

Metaphors We Live By with George Lakoff

6 oktober 2021 | 84 min

The Creativity Leap with Natalie Nixon

29 september 2021 | 72 min

The Heart of Business with Hubert Joly

22 september 2021 | 79 min

The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron with Bethany McLean

15 september 2021 | 67 min

How to Lead a Quest with Dr Jason Fox

8 september 2021 | 70 min

Change with John Kotter

1 september 2021 | 67 min

Getting Things Done with David Allen

24 augusti 2021 | 52 min

The Unfiltered Lessons of a Female Entrepreneur with Victoria Montgomery Brown

18 augusti 2021 | 61 min

Indistractable with Nir Eyal

11 augusti 2021 | 60 min

Writing to Be Understood with Anne Janzer

4 augusti 2021 | 56 min

Everyday Business Storytelling with Janine Kurnoff

28 juli 2021 | 49 min

Better, Simpler Strategy with Felix Oberholzer-Gee

22 juli 2021 | 68 min

The Imagination Machine with Martin Reeves

15 juli 2021 | 55 min

Everyday Chaos with David Weinberger

7 juli 2021 | 98 min

Down the Rabbit Hole of Leadership with Manfred Kets de Vries

1 juli 2021 | 77 min

Undercurrents with Steve Davis

25 juni 2021 | 61 min

High-Impact Tools for Teams with Stefano Mastrogiacomo

17 juni 2021 | 66 min

Long Life Learning with Michelle R. Weise

10 juni 2021 | 56 min

Wanting with Luke Burgis

3 juni 2021 | 78 min

Cascades in Practice with Greg Satell

27 maj 2021 | 49 min

A Short History of Humanity with Johannes Krause

22 maj 2021 | 89 min

Undisruptable: A Mindset of Permanent Reinvention with Aidan McCullen

20 maj 2021 | 57 min

Choosing Courage with Jim Detert

13 maj 2021 | 64 min

Shapers: Reinvent the Way You Work and Change the Future with Jonas Altman

6 maj 2021 | 52 min

Flex: Reinventing Work for a Smarter, Happier Life with Annie Auerbach

29 april 2021 | 61 min

The Innovation Ultimatum with The Bald Futurist: Steve Brown

22 april 2021 | 53 min

Learn Like a Pro: Science-Based Tools to Become Better at Anything with Barbara Oakley

15 april 2021 | 49 min

Move Fast. Break Stuff. Burn Out. with Shannon Lucas

8 april 2021 | 61 min

The Human Edge with Greg Orme

1 april 2021 | 58 min

Eat, Sleep, Innovate with Scott D. Anthony

25 mars 2021 | 52 min

Pirates In The Navy with Tendayi Viki

16 mars 2021 | 58 min

Wild Rituals with Caitlin O'Connell

11 mars 2021 | 57 min

Seeing Around Corners with Rita McGrath

4 mars 2021 | 72 min

Unlearn with Barry O’Reilly

25 februari 2021 | 58 min

Mauro Guillén - 2030 How Today's Biggest Trends Will Collide

18 februari 2021 | 64 min

The Radical Innovation Playbook with Olga Kokshagina and Allen Alexander

11 februari 2021 | 54 min

EP 259: The Advice Trap with Michael Bungay Stanier

4 februari 2021 | 57 min

EP 258: Turn the Ship Around with L. David Marquet

28 januari 2021 | 43 min

EP 257: Superior: The Return of Race Science with Angela Saini

21 januari 2021 | 64 min

EP 256: Think Like a Rocket Scientist: Simple Strategies for Giant Leaps in Work and Life with Ozan Varol

14 januari 2021 | 79 min

EP 255: Time Smart: How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life with Ashley Whillans

7 januari 2021 | 56 min

EP 254 Tiny Habits with BJ Fogg

31 december 2020 | 41 min

EP 253: The Renaissance Campaign: A Problem-Solving Formula with John Rogers

23 december 2020 | 59 min

EP 252: How to Thrive in Chaos with Nadya Zhexembayeva

16 december 2020 | 57 min

EP 251: Full-Spectrum Thinking: How to Escape Boxes in a Post-Categorical Future with Bob Johansen

10 december 2020 | 65 min

EP 250: My Creative Space: How to Design Your Home to Stimulate Ideas and Spark Innovation with Donald M. Rattner

2 december 2020 | 70 min

EP 249 Neurosculpting: A Whole-Brain Approach to Heal Trauma, Rewrite Limiting Beliefs, and Find Wholeness with Lisa Wimberger

26 november 2020 | 57 min

EP 248 Robin Dunbar on Friends: Understanding the Power of our Most Important Relationships

19 november 2020 | 73 min

EP 247: Leonard Mlodinow on Stephen Hawking: A Memoir of Friendship and Physics

12 november 2020 | 61 min

EP 246: Designing Your Work Life with Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

5 november 2020 | 52 min

EP 245: The Reason For The Rhymes: Mastering the Seven Essential Skills of Innovation by Learning to Write Songs with Cliff Goldmacher

29 oktober 2020 | 47 min

EP 244: “Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst” - Robert M. Sapolsky.

22 oktober 2020 | 66 min

One of my favourite episodes of all time.

This genre-shattering attempt to answer the question of human behaviour by looking at it from every angle.

Our guest starts by looking at the factors that bear on a person's reaction in the precise moment a behavior occurs, and then hops back in time from there, in stages, ultimately ending up at the deep history of our species and its genetic inheritance.

And so the first category of explanation is the neurobiological one. What goes on in a person's brain a second before the behavior happens?

Then he pulls out to a slightly larger field of vision, a little earlier in time: What sight, sound, or smell triggers the nervous system to produce that behavior?

And then, what hormones act hours to days earlier to change how responsive that individual is to the stimuli which trigger the nervous system?

By now, our guest has increased our field of vision so that we are thinking about neurobiology and the sensory world of our environment and endocrinology in trying to explain what happened.

But he keeps going—next to what features of the environment affected that person's brain, and then back to the childhood of the individual, and then to their genetic makeup.

Finally, he expands the view to encompass factors larger than that one individual. How culture has shaped that individual's group, what ecological factors helped shape that culture, and on and on, back to evolutionary factors thousands and even millions of years old.

The result is one of the most dazzling tours de horizon of the science of human behavior ever attempted, a majestic synthesis that harvests cutting-edge research across a range of disciplines to provide a subtle and nuanced perspective on why we ultimately do the things we do...for good and for ill.

Wise, humane, often hilarious, Behave is a towering achievement, powerfully humanising, and downright heroic in its own right.

What a pleasure to welcome author of “Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst” Robert M. Sapolsky

EP 244: “Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst” - Robert M. Sapolsky.

22 oktober 2020 | min