Ian Wright, Founder & CEO at Disruptive Innovators Networks - Navigating the Seas of Change

In our latest episode, we chat with Ian Wright, Founder and CEO of the Disruptive Innovators Network. Known for his innovative leadership, Ian shares his journey from the public sector to building a community of innovators. During the conversation, Ian discusses lessons from his early career, emphasizing that change often fails when people don’t stop to understand the problem they’re trying to fix. This realization led him to adopt a more thoughtful approach, focusing on understanding the problem clearly before attempting to solve it. Then he explains how to implement massive shifts without risk, introducing the concept of having two teams: one to manage the future and one to manage the past. This dual-team strategy helps manage both current operations and the transition to the future, ensuring a smooth progression. He underscores that failures in driving change are usually cultural, not technical. Therefore, bringing people on board and becoming a storyteller are essential skills for effective leadership, emphasizing the need for clear communication. Ian also shares his experiences as a Catalyst executive, often having ideas that no one else could see. He stresses the importance of timing, knowing when to push on and when to let go—a decision-making process he refers to as “Play or Pass". Finally, Ian shares that a successful Catalyst executive needs a strong peer network, exceptional resources, and a bit of inspiration. These elements are vital for navigating the complexities of leadership and driving impactful change. Tune in to this episode to gain insights from Ian's experiences and learn how to lead transformative change in your organization.

Original music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lynz Floren⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.