Creative Confidence Podcast Leadership Philosophies in Practice & Building Creative Teams: Q&A with Mike Peng
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Jan 21, 2026 In this engaging discussion, Mike Peng, CEO of IDEO and a veteran in design leadership, dives into the essence of modern creative leadership. He explores how to foster trust in resistant teams, emphasizing empathy as a tool for converting skeptics. Mike shares valuable lessons on the importance of psychological safety and building strong, complementary teams. He also highlights how failure has shaped his approach, encouraging leaders to embrace small wins and seek inspiration from everyday sources to elevate creative excellence.
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Win Through Small Experiments
- Start small and build internal case studies to influence leaders.
- Find allies and model behaviors rather than trying to change everything at once.
Shift Minds With Empathy
- Use empathy exercises to shift dissenters' perspectives quickly.
- Share raw customer stories and small visualizations to make impact undeniable.
Rice Bag Empathy Exercise In Tokyo
- In Tokyo, older male participants wore a 10kg rice bag to simulate carrying a baby.
- The experience changed how they perceived elevator access and stroller navigation in stations.