Innovation Storytellers

What defines a strong communications culture, and how does it enable better innovation outcomes? In this episode of Innovation Storytellers, I welcome Niosha Kayhani, Director of International Programs and Commercial Products at Cubic. We delve into how his role shifted from individual innovator to empowering others to create and lead within a global organization of 7,000 people. Niosha shares insights on how Cubic built a culture that encourages collaboration across teams, relying on a network of internal "entrepreneurs in residence" who spark creativity from within. With the CEO's unwavering support, Niosha and his team developed a structured innovation process that motivates staff through cross-functional initiatives like tiger teams, enabling rapid development with a clear 12-week focus. Tune in to learn how Cubic’s culture of storytelling and open dialogue drives change, tackles challenges, and empowers people to thrive. Whether you’re interested in hearing about the emotional journey of letting go of personal ideas or finding the right balance between passion and adaptability, this episode is packed with valuable insights.  

Join Abram Sirignano and Tony Fross from Prophet as they discuss viewing organizations as living systems, aligning human elements with organizational goals for innovation, and transforming workplaces. They share insights on emotional engagement in innovation, exploring teamwork in iconic projects, and embracing failures against societal pressures.

My guest on the Innovation Storytellers Show this week is someone who’s turned understanding and exhibiting failures into an art form. Dr. Samuel West is a licensed clinical psychologist keen on the intersection of happiness, work, and cultural perceptions of failure. Dr. West’s journey from treating clinical issues like depression to exploring organizational psychology led him to an intriguing discovery: the crucial role of failure in fostering innovation and creativity. His work, especially his teachings at Lund University on positive psychology and creativity, culminates in creating a fascinating project—the Museum of Failure. This traveling exhibition, which I had the pleasure of experiencing first-hand in Los Angeles, showcases failures from the tech industry and beyond, including memorable flops like Pepsi’s Clear cola and Microsoft’s Zune. In today's episode, Samuel and I explore the many layers of failure—from its inevitability in pursuing innovation to its potential as a catalyst for significant breakthroughs. We discuss how rebranding failures as experiments can change our perspective and lessen the sting of setbacks, making innovation less agonizing and more fruitful. Tune in as we dissect the lessons housed within the Museum of Failure and uncover why continuing to experiment, even in the face of apparent failure, is vital for sustained innovation in an ever-evolving world.  

How often do we pause to consider the intricate, behind-the-scenes balance of technology and strategy that powers our everyday lives? In this episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I have an enlightening conversation with Heather Feldman, Director of Learning & Development at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).  Heather shares insights from her unique vantage point on defining global collaboration in the nuclear age. From balancing the operational demands of current nuclear power plants to envisioning future advancements with technologies like artificial intelligence, Heather describes EPRI's role in fostering an environment where experimentation is encouraged, and even failures are seen as steps towards success. She discusses the inception of the Global Forum for Nuclear Innovation, highlighting its aim to drive transformative change across the industry with leaders from around the world, including the International Energy Agency. But what does all this innovation mean for the average person? Heather ties these technological advancements back to everyday life, underscoring how crucial nuclear energy is to providing a substantial portion of America's carbon-free electricity. Amidst the backdrop of recent cultural phenomena like the Oppenheimer films, Heather helps demystify the often misunderstood role of nuclear power in our energy landscape and its critical contribution to combating climate change. As we reflect on the importance of sustainable and safe energy solutions, what are your thoughts on the role of nuclear power and innovation in our future? How should we balance the technological advancements with the ethical considerations they bring? Join the conversation and share your insights on how we can collectively enhance our understanding and implementation of nuclear technology.  

In this episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, we journey beyond the executive boardroom to explore the vibrant intersections of social communities, networks, and the transformative power of sharing knowledge.  I welcome Leigh Higginbotham Butler, the Founder & CEO of Akina Technologies, to delve into how Akina is revolutionizing networking for women of color. Leigh shares her journey from leading initiatives for liver disease prevention and treatment to founding Akina Technologies, a social enterprise dedicated to addressing systematic disparities faced by black women through new media and innovative solutions.  With a rich background in government affairs, public relations, and a heartfelt commitment to advocacy, Leigh discusses the essence of innovation as a tool for seeing ourselves, our communities, and our opportunities in a new light. Akina Technologies emerges as a beacon of empowerment, leveraging technology to create a platform that promises personalization, representation, and meaningful connections. We talk about the development of a culturally competent AI, aiming to dismantle biases and ensure every woman of color can find resources and connections that resonate deeply with her individuality and needs. In a reflection on Women's History Month, Leigh articulates a vision for the future where women of color are celebrated and acknowledged for their contributions to technology and innovation. From the unsung heroes behind everyday technology like text messaging to the broader aspirations of Akina Technologies, Leigh's message is clear: representation matters, and it is pivotal in shaping how we see ourselves and our potential to contribute to the world. As we step into a new future around what women's history can be, Leigh's insights remind us of the opportunity to write it in a way that has never been written before. This episode is a call to action for everyone, from corporate leaders to community members, to recognize and support the pivotal role of women of color in technology and beyond. What role can technology play in bridging gaps and fostering communities? How can we ensure that women of color are not just participants but leaders in the future of innovation? Share your thoughts and join the conversation as we explore these vital questions together.  

In the latest episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I chat with  Tommy Knoll, the visionary Founder and Primary Leader behind Innov8rs CoLab. We explore the vital role of Innov8rs CoLab in fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for innovation leaders worldwide. Have you ever felt the pangs of isolation in your pursuit of innovation? You're not alone. Susan and Tommy delve into how the path to innovation, though often solitary, can be transformed through community and collaboration. Innov8rs CoLab stands as a beacon for innovation leaders, offering a global platform where challenges are shared, breakthroughs celebrated, and invaluable hacks exchanged to ease the journey of innovation. With Tommy's extensive background spanning over 25 years as an entrepreneur, intrapreneur, and business owner across multiple industries, this conversation is rich with insights and experiences. From the nuanced differences in innovation culture between Europe and the U.S. to the foundational elements that forge a thriving innovation culture within organizations, this episode is a deep dive into the dynamics of innovation in a global context. Listeners will understand the importance of setting clear definitions, socializing them within the innovation function, and the crucial role of financing and human capital in fueling innovation teams. The discussion also touches upon the cultural aspects of innovation, emphasizing that culture is not merely an outcome but a derivative of meticulously crafted processes, beliefs, and systems. Listen now to uncover the secrets to fostering an environment where innovation thrives beyond the confines of the boardroom and becomes a tangible reality in every aspect of organizational life. How are you championing innovation within your organization? Share your thoughts and join the conversation on innovation culture and collaboration.  

In today's rapidly evolving world, where innovation and technology are at the forefront of transforming lives and businesses, how do we ensure that our pursuit of progress remains grounded in empathy and understanding? How do we create innovations pushing the boundaries of what's possible and enriching and uplifting the communities they're designed to serve? I sat down with Amy J. Wilson, Founder and Guide at Empathy for Change, to explore the critical intersection of innovation, empathy, and human-centered design. In a profound conversation that traverses the landscape of liberatory and equity-centered community design to the nuances of trauma-informed approaches, Amy sheds light on the importance of integrating compassion into the fabric of innovation. Amy challenges us to reflect on our innovators, technologists, and leaders roles. Are we inadvertently participating in a culture of extraction, or are we genuinely contributing to creating meaningful, positive change? This episode delves into the essence of empathy within the innovation ecosystem, urging us to become more aware of our blind spots and the impact of our creations on the world around us. Through stories and insights, Amy illustrates the practice of "Noticing and Reflecting" - a cornerstone of liberatory design that empowers us to align our innovations with our values and intentions, ensuring that we're not just creating for the sake of innovation but are genuinely making a difference in people's lives. This episode is a call to action for the tech and innovation community to integrate empathy and reflection into our processes. It's about understanding that trust is "earned in droplets and lost in buckets" and recognizing our profound responsibility to innovate responsibly, ethically, and with a deep sense of empathy for the communities we aim to serve.  

In the fourth and final episode of my series on the Innovation Storytellers Show with Peter Temes, CEO and Founder of the Institute for Innovation at Large Organizations (ILO), we explore the complex world of innovation resistance.  This episode, a culmination of insightful discussions on trust, the evolution of innovation rules, and the innovation awareness gap, takes a closer look at innovators' challenges when introducing new ideas within their organizations. The conversation opens by acknowledging a common experience many innovators share: the frustration of seeing a groundbreaking idea get ignored, sidelined by office politics, or outright rejected. I share a thought-provoking statistic from the Harvard Business Review, which suggests a significant portion of organizational changes fail due to employee resistance, mainly stemming from inadequate communication about the change's rationale and benefits. Together, we discuss empathy maps as essential tools for understanding the benefits and drawbacks of change from an employee's perspective. This approach is central to navigating the "pain and gain" dynamic crucial to overcoming innovation resistance. The episode further explores the nature of resistance, which often arises from a deep-rooted human bias toward overvaluing fear over opportunity. Peter shares personal anecdotes and professional experiences, highlighting how natural it is for individuals and organizations to cling to the status quo. He discusses the importance of viewing resistance not as an obstacle but as a valuable signal that can inform and refine the innovation process. One of the most compelling parts of the discussion revolves around the idea that resistance to change is inevitable and necessary. It prompts organizations to examine their approaches critically and consider how to communicate better and implement change. Peter emphasizes the transformative potential of approaching resistance with empathy, understanding, and strategic communication.  

Peter Temes, the CEO and Founder of the ILO, joins me in tackling a particularly intriguing aspect of innovation that intersects directly with communication. We're dissecting the nuances of when innovation and communication align perfectly and when they, unfortunately, miss the mark. Our discussion revolves around the "innovation awareness gap" – a phenomenon that even the best of us can stumble upon, resulting in a disconnect between the innovation we aim to deliver and the intended audience. Drawing on compelling research by McKinsey, we found that only 37 percent of employees are truly in tune with their company's most crucial goals, strategies, and tactics, particularly when it comes to innovation. As Peter and I explore, this gap often originates from the top—with senior management—and extends through the substance and communication of innovation initiatives. Peter shares his wisdom on how truly innovative companies are not just those that claim innovation as part of their brand identity but those that live and breathe it, ensuring their actions and promises align. We delve into examples of brands like Apple and Coca-Cola, which have successfully embedded innovation into their DNA, not by mere words but through consistent delivery on their promises and creating a community around their brand. This conversation is not just about identifying where the gaps lie but also about seeking ways to bridge them, ensuring that the innovation communicated is understood, felt, and experienced by every stakeholder involved. From discussing the importance of aligning innovation with the company's core identity to the power of purpose in driving genuine innovation, this episode is packed with insights that challenge us to rethink how we approach innovation in our respective spheres. What are your thoughts on the innovation awareness gap? Have you encountered it in your work, and if so, how have you addressed it? Share your insights and join the dialogue below – because we can turn gaps into bridges and innovation into action together.  

Welcome to a thrilling special edition of the Innovation Storyteller Show. Today, we're soaring high on excitement, feeling like we've found the end of the rainbow with a pot of gold, as we dive into an enriching conversation with my innovation guide and intellectual beacon, Peter Temes.  In this episode, Peter and I journeyed through the intricacies of turning strategies from mere visions into tangible realities. We dissect the critical elements that transform a company's strategy into a compelling narrative driven by morals and values, emphasizing the importance of collective belief and action in achieving success. Our discussion sheds light on the delicate balance between setting ambitious goals and the practical execution that brings them to life, underscoring the significance of establishing clear values and allowing the fruits of success to benefit every layer of an organization, especially its customers. Join us as we delve into how adopting a collaborative rather than a top-down approach can lead to a more inclusive and impactful innovation strategy. We explore the challenges of instilling a culture that embraces change, drawing parallels with the complexities of updating data and computer systems within dynamic, fast-paced environments. Learn how parallel progress paths can be a strategic approach to fostering a forward-thinking and adaptable organizational culture, even in settings resistant to change.