The Leadership Problem at the Heart of Innovation with Robyn Bolton

In this episode of the AlchemistX Innovators Inside Podcast, Ian Bergman welcomes back Robyn Bolton, author of Unlocking Innovation: A Leader’s Guide to Turning Bold Ideas into Tangible Results. Robyn explains why innovation consistently stalls in large organizations—and why the issue isn’t a shortage of ideas but a leadership challenge.

Together, Ian and Robyn break down the ABCs of innovation—Architecture, Behavior, and Culture—and how leaders can align them to create lasting impact. They explore the risks and realities of leading innovation, why “stealth mode” kills momentum, and how to show meaningful value before the dollars show up.

You’ll learn:

- Why innovation fails without clear leadership ownership.

- How leaders can align personal risk tolerance with organizational goals.

- The importance of telling a value story from day one—not waiting for financial ROI.

- Why innovation isn’t a recipe—and how to design for experimentation and learning.

- How to thrive on the three-year clock that most corporate innovators face.

This is a must-listen for leaders who want to stop treating innovation as a side project and start turning bold ideas into tangible results.

For full show notes and resources visit: https://www.alchemistaccelerator.com/podcasts