#37: Chic Thompson, Founder of WagiLabs, on Curiosity, Developing Innovative Ideas, and Solving Difficult Challenges

Chic’s passion is inspiring executives, MBA students and children to be “curious first… critical second” while creative problem solving.

His latest creative adventure is founding “WagiLabs” A global, social innovation incubator for kids’ ideas.

Chic is a Batten Fellow of Entrepreneurship at the University of Virginia’s Darden Business School and adjunct faculty at the Brookings Institution and the Young Presidents’ Organization.

His first book, “What a Great Idea!,” published by HarperCollins, was a main selection of the Executive Book Club.

In 2001, Harvard Business School released a case study on the speaking career of Chic entitled “What a Great Idea!.”

His second book, “Yes, But...” was a guide to overcoming the bureaucratic language that stifles continuous innovation. He wrote this book after consulting with GE to help design their continuous improvement process called “Work-Out.”

Chic worked in new product development and marketing for:

• W.L. Gore and Associates (Gore-Tex®)

• Johnson & Johnson

• Walt Disney

During the last 30 years, Chic has given over 4500 presentations and has teamed up with talent ranging from Tony Robbins and Stephen Covey to Cirque du Soleil and Second City Improv.