Fighting Friction: A Conversation with Bob Sutton

Friction is a natural part of any organization, but it’s not necessarily a beneficial one. As organizations grow to tackle more complexity, it is important for leaders to identify and minimize unnecessary friction while fostering an environment where productive friction can thrive. In this episode, Michelle and Dev welcome Stanford professor Bob Sutton to explore his latest work, "The Friction Project." Together, they discuss how leaders can effectively manage organizational friction by distinguishing between the friction that hinders progress and the friction that stimulates creativity and innovation. Bob shares fascinating anecdotes and lessons from top companies and his extensive research, providing practical advice on reducing bureaucratic hurdles and promoting a culture of creativity.

Bob Sutton will be joining us at The Jump Offsite in September. To request an invite, visit: https://www.jumpassociates.com/offsite/

#leadership #FrictionProject #organizationalbehavior #innovation #businessgrowth

Chapters

03:44 Efficiency and Creativity in Organizations

14:56 Flexibility in Leadership Styles

19:57 The Value of Creative Friction

33:40 Headlines of the Future

Headlines from the Future

1. Extreme heat swells NYC bridge, exposing infrastructure weaknesses. https://www.fastcompany.com/91154590/extreme-heat-broke-a-new-york-city-bridge-expect-more-infrastructure-mishaps-like-this
2. Wealth preservation reaches new heights with cryonic revival trusts. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-09/rich-people-freeze-themselves-and-fortunes-for-future-revival
3. Carbon capture ‘butter' revolutionizes dairy alternatives. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/bill-gates-backed-startup-creates-butter-from-thin-air-and-heres-how-it-is-an-eco-friendly-option/articleshow/111842426.cms?from=mdr# 

Links

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The Jump Podcast

The Jump Podcast features Dev Patnaik in dialogue with Michelle Loret de Mola. This is the conversation for future-focused leaders thinking about strategy, culture and leadership. The world is crazy. Everything seems to be changing, and not always in a good way. Today, business leaders are struggling to figure out avoid becoming the next Kodak, Blackberry or Blockbuster. But fear not, dear listener. Things can get better. People can do better. And the world can be better.

Jump Associates

Jump is the world’s leading independent strategy and innovation firm. We work with the world’s most admired companies on their most important growth challenges. Using a future focused approach to strategy, we’ve helped these firms to grow their businesses in times of change.