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.
In this episode of ‘The Innovation Show,’ host Aidan McCullen sits down with the former chairman and CEO of Pitney Bowes, Michael Critelli.
Through a deep dive into Critelli’s career, we explore his penchant for the road less traveled, his transformative leadership at Pitney Bowes, and his insights on innovation, strategy, and foresight. From humble beginnings to leading a staple communications company through times of intense change, including the internet era, 9/11, and the recession, Critelli shares lessons on valuing potential over qualifications, listening to dissent, and the importance of constant adaptation in business and life.
00:00 Early Career and Joining Pitney Bowes
01:40 Climbing the Ladder: From Legal to Leadership
04:28 Reinventing Pitney Bowes: A Tale of Transformative Change
07:09 Embracing Agile Strategy: Lessons from the Front Lines
13:51 The Power of Listening and Adapting in Leadership
42:39 The Importance of Vision and Courage in Decision-Making
44:47 Fostering a Culture of Continuous Learning and Innovation
Ian and the host, Aidan McCullen, explore how companies past and present have navigated the transition from the ‘first curve’ – a state of established practices and security – to the ‘second curve’ of innovation and adaptation in the face of new technologies and markets. They discuss examples of organisations like HR Block, SGI (Silicon Graphics), and Volvo, and how they’ve managed to pivot or struggled with these shifts.
Ian offers profound insights into the societal move towards a knowledge economy, the importance of venture capital in disruptive innovation, consumer empowerment, and the geographical shift in economic power towards the Asia-Pacific region. Furthermore, they discuss the importance of organisational culture in adapting to change, the challenges of measuring success on the second curve, and the personal and societal impacts of these transitions.
The conversation concludes by emphasising the need for individuals and organisations to embrace uncertainty, leverage existing competencies, and prepare for a future that prioritises hyper-effectiveness and adaptive skills.
00:00 Introduction to the Second Curve
00:31 Understanding the Shift from First to Second Curve
00:56 The Impact of the Second Curve on Organizations
01:44 The Second Curve and the Post-Industrial Economy
02:10 The Role of Knowledge in the Second Curve
02:48 The Power of Disruptive Innovation
03:03 The Shift in Consumer Power
03:34 The Geographic Transformation of the Second Curve
04:36 The Importance of People in the Second Curve
05:31 The Second Curve Mindset
06:25 The Dilemma of the Second Curve
09:02 The Role of Technology in the Second Curve
15:06 The Impact of the Second Curve on Individuals
18:24 The Future of the Second Curve
48:19 Conclusion: Embracing the Second Curve
Find ian here: http://ianmorrison.com
Dive into the heart of innovation, strategy, and reinvention with our latest episode on Mike Beer’s ‘Fit to Compete.’ Uncover the silent killers of strategy execution and how to overcome them, featuring insights from leaders and case studies like Hewlett Packard. Perfect for leaders, innovators, and anyone looking to transform their organizational culture for strategic success. Tune in to transform challenges into victories with actionable insights
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
Join us as Paolo Gallo introduces “The Seven Games of Leadership,” a groundbreaking guide that invites listeners to reassess their priorities both professionally and personally. This episode is not about climbing the corporate ladder; it’s about finding genuine satisfaction in what you do and making a positive impact on the world.
[TLDR: Adaptability in the face of change is paramount for leaders seeking long-term success. Yet, a cognitive bias known as “target fixation” can inadvertently obstruct the ability of business leaders to spot crucial signals of necessary—even lifesaving—change in the business environment.]
We continue our series with Paul Nunes. This is part 2 of Big Bang Disruption, where we dive into the Shark Fin and look at Nintendo, Regulation, Pinball and more.
Homeostasis refers to the maintenance of relatively constant internal conditions in an organism. For example, we maintain an average body temperature of about 98.6°F (37°C). In a cold environment, we shiver to return to our ideal body temperature. We fan ourselves or find other means to restore homeostasis in a warm climate. This delicate balance within biological systems is the hotbed of existence.
It is a pleasure to welcome the author of The Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness, Mark Solms. We share terms like Markov Blankets, The Free Energy Principle, Homeostasis, and Entropy.