180: How ExxonMobil is Crushing Open Innovation

What if the most groundbreaking solutions weren’t waiting within your organization’s walls but scattered across industries, continents, and disciplines, just waiting to be tapped? In this episode, I sit down with Kyle Basler-Reeder, ExxonMobil’s Global Open Innovation Lead, to discuss how he’s redefined problem-solving for one of the world’s largest energy companies.

Kyle shares his unique journey from his early days as a 15-year-old aspiring entrepreneur to spearheading a program that searches far and wide for fresh perspectives on complex challenges. He dives into the methods and philosophies behind ExxonMobil’s open innovation framework, a system he’s crafted to harness creativity from diverse fields like agriculture, aerospace, and even pharmaceuticals.

Kyle introduces us to what he calls “Level Seven” of open innovation, where ExxonMobil looks to industries far beyond its own, bringing in insights from unexpected sources to tackle persistent and “stubborn” problems. He also reveals the fascinating world of “all-star solvers”—the polymaths who thrive on solving radically different challenges and who bring a Da Vinci-like approach to crowdsourced solutions.

Listen in as Kyle demystifies the path to open innovation, shares strategies for overcoming internal resistance, and highlights why bringing in “outside minds” has been transformative for ExxonMobil’s innovation journey. Whether you’re looking to jumpstart innovation or tackle longstanding challenges in your own organization, this episode offers practical insights on expanding beyond the familiar and embracing a truly global approach to problem-solving.