In this episode of The Puzzle, Isaak and Bruno engage in an insightful conversation that delves into the intricacies of innovation within organizations. They discuss how even large corporations with substantial budgets often struggle to align on what should be considered ‘priority’ when it comes to investments. One common scenario they bring up involves a company allocating a hefty sum, such as 50,000 euros, to the executive committee of a billion-euro enterprise for seemingly minor initiatives that may not necessarily lead to significant breakthroughs or advancements in their business model. This notion is explored further with the analogy of an overpriced meeting which could potentially exceed costs associated with initial stages like piloting and exploration, despite it being a purely theoretical concept.

The hosts also touch on human cognition’s role in decision-making processes within organizations, suggesting that people tend to think in dichotomies (either/or), making consensus challenging due to varying perspectives and priorities. Bruno notes the importance of fostering an environment where diverse ideas are valued, enabling a multitude of viewpoints for greater collective alignment without necessarily reaching complete agreement on every issue. This approach is likened to Amazon’s ‘disagree and commit’ philosophy, which encourages employees to try out innovative ideas and then fully support them if they prove successful.

Moreover, the conversation highlights the dilemmas leaders face in striving for unity without imposing rigid structures that may stifle creativity and individual initiative. They emphasize the difficulty of finding a balance between collective alignment and maintaining openness to different ideas, as well as acknowledging that total agreement is unattainable within any organization’s dynamic ecosystem. The hosts conclude by inviting listeners to further engage with the topic if they wish to delve deeper into this wicked problem of balancing innovation, consensus, and creativity in modern corporate environments.