Season 5, Episode 5. Unlocking Innovation with Robyn Bolton
What does it take to truly transform innovation from a buzzword into lasting business success when most corporate innovation initiatives fail to deliver? In this insightful episode, Natalie welcomes back Robyn Bolton, founder of Mile Zero and author of a brand new book on innovation leadership. Robyn shares her innovative "ABCs of Innovation" framework that addresses why, despite decades of investment and attention, corporate innovation results haven't significantly improved in 30 years. She reveals how successful innovation requires leaders to do the opposite of their instincts, explains why innovation and operations require fundamentally different approaches and offers practical strategies for overcoming innovation fatigue in organizations.
[00:01 - 04:00] The Innovation Challenge: Why Another Book?
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Robyn explains why she finally wrote an innovation book despite market saturation
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She identifies the lack of progress in corporate innovation results over 30 years
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The limitation of siloed approaches to innovation that fail to address leadership behaviors
[04:01 - 08:26] The ABCs Framework: Architecture, Behaviors, and Culture
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Robyn introduces her comprehensive framework for innovation success
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She explains how innovation requires high assumption/low knowledge vs. operational high knowledge/low assumption
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Leaders must learn to do the opposite of their instincts to succeed with innovation
[08:27 - 12:42] Starting the Innovation Journey Realistically
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The importance of clearly defining innovation within your organization
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Recognizing that incremental innovation is often already happening
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How storytelling and real-world examples can inspire innovation leaders
[12:43 - 17:05] The People Challenge: Culture and Change
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Why culture is the hardest aspect of innovation to define and transform
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The critical insight that culture comes from repeated behaviors, not declarations
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How leaders' actions speak infinitely louder than their words
[17:06- 23:52] Overcoming Innovation Fatigue Through Real Investment
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Strategies for addressing organizational skepticism about innovation initiatives
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The power of meaningful incentives and rewards that show real commitment
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Why innovation leaders need a three-year timeline to create lasting change
Quotes:
"Managers use things outside of their control as excuses. Leaders see them as challenges. Innovation leaders see them as opportunities." - Robyn Bolton
"Innovation truly is a leadership challenge, and there are leaders who rise to master the challenge." - Robyn Bolton
Connect with Robyn:
Website: https://www.milezero.io/
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