Unleash the Power of “Both/And” Thinking: Solve Toughest Problems & Make Breakthrough DecisionsTired of either/or choices? This episode of The Innovation Show cracks the code on navigating paradoxes. Join Wendy Smith, co-author of “Both/And Thinking,” as she reveals the power of embracing tensions for better problem-solving in your career, organization, and beyond. Discover the four types of paradoxes and practical strategies to manage them effectively. Learn from Lego’s success story and more!
In this episode, we are joined by Wendy Smith, co-author of ‘Both/And Thinking: Embrace Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems.’ Wendy elaborates on the nuances between dilemmas, paradoxes, and tensions, emphasising that these terms are not interchangeable and revealing the psychological and practical implications of recognising and navigating paradoxes. Drawing from her personal experiences and research, Wendy illustrates how both/and thinking can be applied to career decisions, organisational challenges, and broader societal issues. She discusses the limitations of either/or thinking and the harmful patterns it can create, such as intensification, overcorrection, and polarisation. Using examples from companies like Lego and Gore, Wendy shows how balancing tradition and innovation, centralisation and decentralisation, and other competing demands can lead to more sustainable success. The conversation also delves into the four types of paradoxes: learning, performing, organising, and belonging, and explores strategies to manage these tensions effectively. This episode is essential for anyone facing complex decisions in their personal or professional life. 00:00 Introduction to Both/And Thinking 00:12 Understanding Tensions and Dilemmas 03:08 Defining Paradox and Its Importance 05:23 Embracing Paradoxes in Real Life 08:00 Conditions That Highlight Paradoxes 16:51 Exploring the Four Types of Paradoxes 23:28 Navigating Organisational Paradoxes 31:23 The Paradox System Framework 36:57 Lego’s Journey Through Paradox 45:40 Conclusion and Further Resources
Join Alison Taylor, NYU Stern ethics professor and author, to explore ethical challenges, stakeholder capitalism, corporate culture, and the role of leadership in building a responsible and sustainable business.
Michael Nichols, coauthor of the Corporate Explorer Field Book and Director of Corporate Ventures for MANN + HUMMEL, shares insights on the challenges of inside-out innovation within corporations, emphasizing the importance of validating business models beyond core business practices.
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, emphasising the importance of understanding practical business applications.
Innovating Within the Military: Challenge-Driven Innovation and Connected Intelligence
This episode of the Corporate Explorer, recorded in London during the launch of the Corporate Explorer field book and powered by Wazoku, features Stuart Laws from the UK’s Defense Innovation Unit. The discussion explores how challenge-driven innovation has transformed problem-solving within the military, moving away from a traditional idea-generation model to one that actively involves business units in framing their issues for more scoped and implementable solutions. Laws highlights the shift towards a more inclusive innovation approach, engaging employees, suppliers, startups, universities, and leveraging Wazoku’s connected collective intelligence of over 700,000 global problem solvers. The episode also delves into the human aspects of innovation, including the creation of stakeholder personas to better understand and influence decision-makers, and the serendipitous discovery of solutions through cross-sector collaboration and challenge-driven initiatives. Laws shares insights on the necessity of a collaborative mindset in innovation, bringing public and private sectors together for impactful outcomes. The successes of this approach are exemplified in real-world applications, such as providing 5G coverage in hard-to-reach areas through a partnership between Defence, BT, and academic contributions.
00:00 Welcome to the Corporate Explorer: Innovating with Wazoku
00:43 Introducing Stuart Laws: Innovating in the Military
01:41 The Power of Challenge-Driven Innovation
04:12 Cross-Sector Innovation: Bridging Industries for Better Solutions
09:14 Marketing Personas: A Game-Changer for Innovation
12:55 Finding Solutions in Unexpected Places: The BT Story
15:13 Wrapping Up: The Future of Innovation with Wazoku
Find Stuart here: https://ideashadowcoaching.com
Explore an engaging conversation with futurist and author Ian Morrison, as he discusses traditional organization structures and the transformation required for businesses to adapt to the ‘second curve’. He shares valuable insights on the impacts of technological advancements and changing consumer preferences on organizations, individuals, and the global marketplace. Morrison shares personal anecdotes and professional case studies to illustrate the complex yet essential process of navigating from the old curve to the new one. Tune into this insightful conversation to prepare for an exciting future.
Join us in ‘Fit to Compete, Part 2’ where Michael Beer, the renowned expert in corporate strategy, delves into the crucial elements of business innovation and transformation. This episode offers insightful discussions on strategic fitness, the power of honest conversations, and the roles of leadership and culture in driving organizational change. Featuring a case study on Becton Dickinson, Mike highlights the essentiality of aligning strategy with internal communication for corporate success. Perfect for professionals and leaders seeking guidance in the dynamic world of business.”
Main topics with timestamps:
- Strategic Fitness Process – [00:00:00]
- Long-Term Investment Challenges – [00:13:00]
- Impact of Company Culture and Leadership – [00:30:00]
- Role of Succession Planning – [00:43:00]
- Becton Dickinson Case Study – [00:51:00]
- Transformative Leadership and Values – [00:57:00]
- Innovation in Corporate Strategy – [01:03:00]
- Conclusion and Key Takeaways – [01:10:00]
Articles mentioned in the episode: The Great Training Robbery https://www.hbs.edu/ris/Publication%20Files/16-121_bc0f03ce-27de-4479-a90e-9d78b8da7b67.pdf
Find Mike Beer: https://www.beermichael.com
Fit to Compete – Why Honest Conversations about Your Company’s Capabilities Are the Key to a Winning Strategy
In part 1, we set the context for the book and discuss:
- Mike’s background and inspiration for the book.
- The problem of organisational silence and how it hinders strategic execution and transformation
- The concept of strategic fitness and how it helps organizations align their strategy and culture
- The process and benefits of holding honest conversations with everyone in the organization
- The challenges and barriers of overcoming the silent killers, such as fear, hierarchy, and complacency
- The vision and courage to create a culture of corporate stewardship and continuous learning.
Find Mike here:
https://www.beermichael.com
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!