Creative Confidence Podcast
IDEO U
IDEO’s Creative Confidence Podcast shares candid conversations with creative leaders, changemakers, and innovators navigating today’s most pressing challenges. Through real-world stories and insights, we explore how to lead with creativity, build resilient teams, and drive innovation. Grounded in IDEO’s 40 years of expertise in design thinking and innovation, each episode offers inspiration and practical tools for audacious leaders at every stage of their careers. Hosted by Mina Seetharaman, Head of New Ventures at IDEO, the podcast brings a human-centered lens to the complexities of making more courageous futures.
Discover more at IDEOU.com.
Discover more at IDEOU.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
46 snips
Mar 10, 2025 • 42min
What Leaders Should Know About Leading Through Change: Melanie Bell-Mayeda
Melanie Bell-Mayeda, Director of UX Program and Operations at Google and former IDEO partner, shares her expertise on leading through change. She emphasizes a human-centered approach to support teams in navigating uncertainty. Key topics include the STAR model for effective change management, the importance of structured processes, and fostering creativity within teams. Melanie discusses the necessity of clarity and transparency in leadership, and how these elements can empower individuals and enhance organizational growth.
9 snips
Jan 27, 2025 • 39min
How to Improve Your Leadership Mindset for Greater Growth: Bonnie Wan
Bonnie Wan, author of "The Life Brief" and a renowned brand and leadership strategist, shares her insights on cultivating a leadership mindset. She emphasizes overcoming limiting beliefs to unlock personal growth and creativity. The discussion dives into the power of self-reflection and the importance of a 'life brief' for clarity and legacy. Bonnie advocates for authenticity in leadership and introduces 'tiny daily firsts' as a way to foster change and embrace personal empowerment. Overall, it’s a journey of intentional living and bold self-discovery.
Jan 13, 2025 • 39min
How to Take Action and Shape Your Future Today: Frederik Pferdt
Frederik Pferdt, Google's first chief innovation evangelist and author of "What's Next is Now," shares his insights on taking control of the future with small, consistent actions. He emphasizes the power of empathy for our future selves and the importance of transforming vague goals into actionable steps. Pferdt introduces the concept of micro-experiments and self-reflection to align present behaviors with future aspirations. By focusing on personal strengths and a future-ready mindset, he encourages listeners to embrace experimentation and intentional choices.
57 snips
Oct 28, 2024 • 32min
Unlock the Power of Systems Thinking: Deirdre Cerminaro
In this intriguing discussion with Deirdre Cerminaro, a creative strategist and systems design expert, listeners dive into the transformative world of systems thinking. Cerminaro shares how shifting perspectives can illuminate complex problems, from traffic congestion to food waste. She emphasizes the importance of reframing questions and adopting a human-centered approach to foster innovative solutions. Through engaging analogies, she illustrates how personal biases can shape our understanding and the need for reflective inquiry in enhancing problem-solving skills.
4 snips
Oct 3, 2024 • 38min
The Role of Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI
Tim Brown, Chair of IDEO, shares insights on the vital role of human-centered leadership in a tech-driven world. He discusses how AI challenges traditional practices and the need for leaders to adapt with empathy and imaginative thinking. The conversation explores navigating the phases of technological disruption, emphasizing the integration of human creativity amidst rapid advancements. Brown highlights actionable steps for leaders to harness AI effectively while addressing societal issues, envisioning a future where innovation aligns with human needs.
8 snips
Aug 19, 2024 • 41min
Humanistic AI: Tom Gruber, Co-Creator of Siri
In this discussion, Tom Gruber—product designer, entrepreneur, and co-creator of Siri—dives into the importance of a human-centric approach to AI. He emphasizes that understanding user needs and ethical design are crucial as AI becomes more intertwined with our daily lives. Gruber explains how AI can augment human creativity rather than replace it, highlighting the significance of collaboration. The conversation encourages reassessing our relationship with technology and prioritizing human well-being in AI development.
11 snips
May 30, 2024 • 39min
Creating Impactful Products: YC Sun
Design Director YC Sun from IDEO discusses key challenges in product strategy, balancing visionary ambition with execution, and navigating decision trade offs. He also shares insights on creating impactful products, including designing for the healthcare ecosystem and embracing rapid prototyping.
16 snips
May 14, 2024 • 46min
Manager Mentorship Strategies: David Yeager
David Yeager, manager mentorship expert, discusses cultivating a mentor mindset, research on mentoring young people, applying growth mindset, and key tools for better mentorship. Topics include balancing toughness and compassion, empowering young individuals, challenges of leading young employees, transparency in feedback, and effective problem-solving approaches in mentorship.
23 snips
Apr 2, 2024 • 34min
Why Curiosity is a Business Imperative: Scott Shigeoka
Scott Shigeoka, a curiosity expert, discusses how embracing curiosity can transform leadership by challenging assumptions, connecting with people, and building inclusive cultures. The podcast explores tangible tips to practice curiosity and its role in personal and professional growth, fostering connections, and empowering individuals through storytelling and open communication.
14 snips
Mar 20, 2024 • 33min
How Great Leaders Use Friction: Bob Sutton
Explore how great leaders harness friction to improve productivity and creativity in organizations. Learn about the value of encountering challenges for growth and innovation. Discover the importance of being a 'friction fixer' and the impact of addition sickness in teams. Dive into the power of subtraction to simplify processes and the significance of positive endings in shaping perceptions.
