The Innovation Show

Wendy Smith, co-author of 'Both/And Thinking,' discusses the importance of navigating paradoxes in personal and professional decisions. She explores how companies like Lego balance tradition and innovation, highlighting the limitations of either/or thinking. Wendy also delves into the four types of paradoxes and strategies to manage them effectively.

Expert Alexander Pett discusses leading high-stakes conversations for corporate innovation, emphasizing productive tension and strategic communication in senior team settings. Topics include engaging stakeholders, effective dialogue frameworks, and cultivating empathy in leadership to secure executive buy-in for innovative ideas.

NYU Stern ethics professor Alison Taylor discusses ethical challenges in business, advocating for human dignity and respect. They explore shifts in business ethics, stakeholder capitalism, and the role of leadership. The conversation emphasizes addressing systemic issues, fostering ethical cultures, and creating sustainable businesses.

In this episode, innovation expert Vanessa Ceia discusses the shift from inside-out to outside-in mindset in corporate exploration. She highlights the importance of customer discovery interviews to overcome biases and drive sustainable innovation. Topics include stages of innovation, stakeholder feedback, mastering the interview process, and fostering effective innovation ecosystems.

Teresa Amabile, expert in workplace motivation, discusses the importance of making small progress in meaningful work for positive emotions and high motivation. Key topics include clear goals, autonomy, supportive events, and upcoming book on retirement. Managers urged to recognize the impact of small wins on employee motivation and inner work-life. Amabile's research highlights the need for leaders to create a supportive environment that fosters progress and innovation.

Renowned guest Howard Gardner discusses his theory of multiple intelligences, 'good work,' and impacts of innovations like language models. He reflects on education, ethics, and the essence of a synthesizer. Topics include innovation, creativity, good work, and the complexities of ethics in the 21st century.

George Glackin, co-author of a chapter on value flows and design criteria maps, discusses the challenges corporate explorers face in introducing new business opportunities. The episode explores the importance of crafting compelling value propositions, overcoming the 'curse of expertise,' and fostering diverse team collaboration for innovation success. Using the Swiffer Wet Jet case study, the effectiveness of these methodologies in real-world application is highlighted.

Author Dan Ariely discusses the psychology behind misinformation, emphasizing empathy in combating false beliefs. He explores the impact of stress, cognitive biases, and societal divides on spreading misbeliefs. Ariely shares personal experiences with disinformation and highlights the role of trust in addressing belief in conspiracy theories.

Ellen Langer, known as the mother of mindfulness and positive psychology, shares insights on achieving chronic health through mindfulness. Topics include pitfalls of social comparison, power of positive framing, psychological effects of labels, and transformative potential of mindful learning. She emphasizes the choice in interpretations of experiences and encourages a mindful approach to life's challenges.

Michael Nichols, Coauthor of the Corporate Explorer Field Book and Director of Corporate Ventures for MANN + HUMMEL, talks about the challenges of inside-out innovation in corporations, the importance of validating business models, and the role of customer problem identification. He also discusses the pitfalls of mistaking invention for innovation, steps towards achieving business model maturity, and strategies for sustainable growth within large organizations.