In this episode, Isaak and Bruno tackle a question that is deliberately formulated in a provocative way – even though both of us have heard this expressed more than once: why won’t my team innovate?

It’s not a great question, and exploring why this is so is one piece of the puzzle of innovation that Bruno and I slowly, gradually put together with this podcast.

Bruno and Isaak, two engineers with a passion for business, are tackling this puzzle head-on. They acknowledge that the question might be phrased clumsily, but assume good intentions behind it. Their reframing approach is to flip the question around, asking instead “How can I help my team innovate?” This subtle shift in perspective empowers leaders to take ownership of driving innovation within their teams. Bruno draws parallels between this question and others where leaders genuinely seek answers about fostering creativity and innovation. He highlights that simply showing people cool things or providing training isn’t enough; there needs to be a clear vision, incentives, and alignment with the organization’s objectives. Isaak agrees, emphasizing the importance of making one’s vision explicit through written artifacts, such as project charters or mandate documents. By doing so, leaders can create a shared understanding among team members, align expectations, and foster a sense of collective purpose. The duo concludes that this approach is essential for successful innovation initiatives, and they invite listeners to share their thoughts and questions on the topic.