Change Signal The Imperfection Advantage: Charles Conn
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Jul 9, 2025 Charles Conn, a former McKinsey partner and current chair of Patagonia's board, challenges conventional wisdom on transformation. He argues that rigid strategic planning can hinder progress, advocating for small experiments that foster learning. Conn emphasizes the importance of listening to critics and diverse perspectives to spark innovation. He shares a practical matrix for prioritizing challenges and highlights how a consumer-centric approach transformed orthodontics. His insights bring battle-tested wisdom to navigating change in today's fast-paced world.
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Reject Perfect Strategy Planning
- Strategy isn't about having a perfect advance plan in uncertain times.
- Small, reversible experiments driven by curiosity are more effective than big bets.
Empower Teams With Trust
- Empower small, cross-functional teams to tackle real problems with trust.
- Encourage non-hierarchical collaboration close to customers for effective change.
Distinguish Decision Types
- Push low-risk, reversible decisions down to people closest to customers.
- Avoid betting the farm on big decisions without room to pivot.
