Innovation Storytellers

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.

Today, I'm thrilled to introduce a very special series that tackles the topics shaping the world of innovation. Joining me is Peter Temes, Founder & President of the ILO Institute, a beacon of wisdom in the innovation community and someone I've had the privilege of calling my intellectual mentor. In this episode, we explore the crucial dilemmas and opportunities within large organizations, touching upon the essence of trust, the ambition behind moon shots, and the intricate roles of chief innovation officers. With the ILO Institute setting the benchmark for innovation research, Peter brings a wealth of knowledge and insights that have guided countless organizations through their innovation journeys. Peter's story begins two decades ago, emerging from the lessons learned in the aftermath of strategic missteps within a large educational institution. This experience sparked a burning question: How do formidable organizations falter in their decision-making processes, and more importantly, how do they miss the open doors to serve better and scale greater? Throughout our conversation, Peter uncovers the enduring practices and evolving strategies that define innovation leadership. From the constants that have stood the test of time to the dynamic shifts in approach necessitated by an ever-changing world, we dive into what it means to balance efficiency with discovery, to lower the cost of failure, and to cultivate an environment where risk-taking is not just accepted but encouraged. But perhaps the most compelling part of our discussion centers on the paradox of innovation in big organizations—the tension between the drive for efficiency and the imperative for discovery. Peter recounts tales from the trenches, illustrating how, even with the best intentions, the push for innovation often bumps up against the complex reality of efficiency metrics. Through his eyes, we see the challenges and triumphs of fostering a culture where innovation can thrive against the odds. Join me as Peter shares his journey, the mission of the ILO Institute, and the invaluable lessons learned from a career dedicated to understanding and enhancing the innovation process. This episode is an essential listen for anyone with an innovation mandate, offering perspectives that resonate at the intersection of what we know, what we feel, and what we dare to imagine.

Getting really good at innovation requires a certain vantage point – both in the trenches doing the work and the ability to soar above it all to see what's missing and what's next. It's why I love having Peter Temes, Founder and CEO of the ILO, the Institute for Innovation at Large Organization. For 25+ years, Peter has rolled up his sleeves and gotten deep into the work. Best of all, he emerges with new ideas to guide all of us to do and be better at change. This week, I'm re-sharing this episode in preparation for a new series I'll be talking about next week. Stay Tuned! In this episode of Innovation Storytellers, I'm joined by Peter Temes, Founder and President of ILO Institute, and the "Godfather" of innovation. Peter talks about the process of innovation, from the moment a leader steps into an organization, to launching transformative products that leverage compelling stories. He also talks about the characteristics and mindsets that define great innovation leaders, and whether it's possible to innovate without constraints. Listen in now, and be sure to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

In today's rapidly evolving world, technology, design, and sustainability are more critical than ever. But how can we navigate these intersections to foster innovation that's not only groundbreaking but also inclusive and sustainable? This episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, featuring Anthony Di Bitonto, former Senior Director of Physical Experience Design at Johnson & Johnson, explores this question. Is it possible to create technologically advanced, beautifully designed, and environmentally sustainable innovations? Anthony Di Bitonto shares his insights and experiences, shedding light on the essential role of design in the innovation process. From ensuring the functionality and emotional impact of new products to addressing the critical aspects of inclusivity and sustainability, Anthony discusses the multi-faceted approach required to bring meaningful innovations to life. We explore how Johnson & Johnson employed simulators to adapt the technology for colorblind medical professionals, ensuring safety and effectiveness in surgical environments. This example underlines the importance of inclusivity in design, which can significantly affect outcomes and potentially save lives. Anthony expands on the evolving relationship between sustainability and innovation. As companies strive to meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, the innovation team's role becomes increasingly significant. We discuss how sustainability is a trend and a fundamental aspect of creating viable, future-proof products and services. Join us as we uncover the critical intersections of tech, design, and sustainability in innovation. How can innovators ensure that their creations are desirable, feasible, inclusive, and sustainable? How does design lead the conversation in making innovations that truly matter?

I sat down with Louise Agersnap, the Head of WHO Innovation Hub, part of the Digital Health and Innovation Department, for a thought-provoking discussion on the transformative initiatives happening at the World Health Organization. With over 20 years of experience in global health development and innovation, Louise brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to the table. The conversation kicks off with a reflection on the global health sector's unique challenges and the critical need for innovative solutions. Recognizing this, WHO is empowering its teams to transition seamlessly from ideation to execution, with a nod to Kevin D'Silva and his team at Ideateplus for their role in fostering a culture of innovation. Louise shares insights into the LEAD program, a groundbreaking initiative at WHO that empowers staff to drive impactful change through ideation, validation, and implementation. With over 250 ideas generated and 40+ projects in the pipeline, the LEAD program exemplifies the power of collaborative innovation in healthcare. The discussion also delves into the role of storytelling in scaling innovation across 194 member states. Louise highlights the Herculean task of communicating and garnering support for innovative ideas globally, offering insights into crafting compelling narratives that inspire collaboration and drive progress. We explore the importance of scalability and sustainability in fostering an innovation culture within WHO. With projects spanning 12 to 18 months, maintaining momentum and ensuring long-term impact are key priorities.