512: The Way Innovators Get Traction, with Tendayi Viki

Feb 8, 2021

Tendayi Viki, an author and innovation consultant at Strategyzer, shares his expertise on navigating organizational innovation. He argues that innovators often feel like 'pirates in the navy' due to internal pressures that stifle creativity. The conversation highlights the importance of partnering with early adopters who share frustrations with the status quo and leveraging their influence. Viki also warns against getting too comfortable with CEO support and stresses the necessity of collaboration to celebrate early wins and foster a lasting culture of innovation.

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INSIGHT

Root Cause of Stifled Innovation

Middle managers often stifle innovation due to pressure from top leadership to prioritize short-term revenue goals.
CEOs may publicly encourage innovation while privately incentivizing middle managers based on current product revenue.

ADVICE

Humility Over Arrogance

Innovators in large organizations should prioritize relationship building and political acumen.
Focus on collaboration and internal networking, rather than adopting a brash, entrepreneurial attitude.

ADVICE

Discover First, Innovate Second

Before starting an innovation project, research existing initiatives and challenges within the organization.
Avoid creating redundant efforts and identify potential roadblocks early on.

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Loonshots

How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries

Safi Bahcall

Loonshots by Safi Bahcall offers a new perspective on innovation by applying the science of phase transitions to team behavior. It highlights how small structural changes can significantly impact a team's ability to innovate. The book provides practical lessons for creatives and entrepreneurs to foster groundbreaking ideas, using examples from history and industry.

Pirates in the Navy

How Innovators Lead Transformation

Tendayi Viki

In 'Pirates in the Navy', Tendayi Viki provides practical tools and guidance for innovators working within large companies. The book addresses the challenges of creating an innovation ecosystem, changing corporate culture, and influencing leadership to prioritize innovation. It emphasizes the need for a repeatable cycle of innovation rather than one-off projects, drawing inspiration from Steve Jobs' preference for being a 'pirate' over joining the 'navy'.

The Lean Product Lifecycle

A Playbook for Making Products People Want

Craig Strong

Sonja Kresojevic

Tendayi Viki

The Lean Product Lifecycle offers a systematic approach to product development, focusing on lean and agile methodologies. It guides companies through six stages—idea, explore, validate, grow, sustain, and retire—helping them manage investment risks and ensure products meet market needs. The book is designed for leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs seeking to innovate and manage core business portfolios effectively.

The Corporate Startup

How established companies can develop successful innovation ecosystems

Tendayi Viki

Esther Gons

Dan Toma

The Corporate Startup provides a proven methodology for building a culture of innovation within established companies. It offers frameworks, visualizations, and tools to help companies manage innovation while executing their core business. The book addresses key questions such as developing corporate innovation ecosystems and applying startup methodologies like Lean Startup and Business Model Design.

Tendayi Viki: Pirates in the Navy Tendayi Viki is an author, innovation consultant, and Associate Partner at Strategyzer, helping large organizations innovate for the future while managing their core business. He has been shortlisted for the Thinkers50 Innovation Award and was named on the Thinkers50 Radar List for emerging management thinkers to watch. He's written three books based on his research and consulting experience, Pirates In The Navy*, The Corporate Startup* and The Lean Product Lifecycle*. The Corporate Startup * was awarded the CMI Management Book Of The Year In Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He is also a regular contributing writer for Forbes. In this conversation, Tendayi and I discuss how innovators often take on the role of pirates in the navy. We explore the mindset that innovators inside organizations need to avoid the common mistakes in advancing new ideas. Plus, we discuss why innovators should ignore detractors early on, parter with early adopters, and use early wins to move forward. Key Points Middle managers may stifle innovation, but often that’s because of internal pressure from those at the top to keep results coming. Innovators should beware basking in the glow of the CEO. It’s essential to engage other stakeholders in the business. Partnering with early adopters is essential for innovators. These are the managers who have existing frustrations with the status quo and are already trying new things. Celebrate early wins through blog posts, workshops, success stories, interviews, and even external conferences. These help you gain credibility. Beware basking too much in early wins. The point of early wins is to give you credibility to move on to the next stage. Resources Mentioned Pirates In The Navy: How Innovators Lead Transformation* by Tendayi Viki The Corporate Startup: How Established Companies Can Develop Successful Innovation Ecosystems* by Tendayi Viki, Dan Toma, and Esther Gone The Lean Product Lifecycle: A Playbook for Making Products People Want* by Tendayi Viki, Craig Strong, and Sonja Kresojevic In Defense Of Middle Managers Who Stifle Innovation by Tendayi Viki Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes The Way to Nurture New Ideas, with Safi Bahcall (episode 418) How to Start Seeing Around Corners, with Rita McGrath (episode 430) How to Build an Invincible Company, with Alex Osterwalder (episode 470) How to Pivot Quickly, with Steve Blank (episode 476) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.