Stephen Shapiro began his innovation work over 25 years in the past whereas founding and main Accenture’s 20,000-person course of and innovation follow. Since then, he has written seven books on innovation, together with Greatest Practices Are Silly, named one of the best innovation and creativity e-book of 2011 by Porchlight, and a global enterprise bestseller.
On this dialog, Colin and Stephen speak about Stephen’s early experiences of working within the innovation discipline with Accenture, and the way he got here up together with his method and strategies. He shares his ideas on his upcoming e-book Pivotal: Creating Stability in an Unsure World, and the state of innovation at present.
Colin: I would love to begin our dialog with somewhat little bit of historical past. I’ve identified you for some time, however I’ve by no means requested you about your background and the way you discovered your self within the innovation business.
Stephen: Within the early 90s, I used to be concerned in one thing referred to as enterprise course of reengineering and I used to be one of many co-leaders of our international follow for that. I went world wide and helped firms optimize their processes. I spotted that when firms optimize their processes, they usually downsize their workforce. I knew this was taking place, I had been doing this work for years, however did not actually give it some thought till at some point. One of many initiatives I used to be engaged on introduced that 10,000 folks would lose their jobs. It was a big quantity, but it surely did not influence me at first.
Then one night time, I used to be watching a TV present about 3 executives who misplaced their jobs at that very same firm. The primary government was fairly optimistic, he had an inheritance which he was residing off, but he didn’t have a job. The second government was crying the entire interview as a result of he was mowing lawns simply to place meals on the desk to feed his household. The third government dedicated suicide. And that was actually heavy for me.
I went again into the workplace and requested the shopper whether or not that was true, which they confirmed, and it made me stroll off the undertaking. I appreciated my job, however I did not wish to assist firms shrink. I wished to assist them develop.
Innovation wasn’t a preferred time period again within the 90s, however that is what I centered on. That is all I’ve finished for nearly three many years now.
Colin: And the way did you begin to find out about this topic? It evolves, innovates itself, the place did you begin the educational course of?
Stephen: First, I surrounded myself with loads of good folks. I feel that at all times helps as a result of completely different folks have completely different views. We had 20,000 folks in our course of follow at Accenture. I used to be given an opportunity to work with them, and we created a day-long program on innovation, which we rolled out to all 20,000 folks. We additionally wrote a e-book. In that very same house, I used to be capable of take a look at ideas, see what labored and what did not work.
Plenty of my expertise with innovation is much less about being theoretical and learning and extra about attempting various things and discovering what works. So, this house at Accenture was like an enormous laboratory to experiment in. Virtually all the pieces I’ve finished has been via real-world, hands-on software.
Colin: What was the largest distinction between what you anticipated and what you bought from innovation?
Stephen: Within the early to mid-90s, when innovation wasn’t that standard, most of us conflated innovation with both product growth or creativity. It is associated to each, but it surely’s not the identical. One of many issues I’ve found is that an overemphasis on creativity kills innovation. That has been my greatest studying—the conclusion that it isn’t about amount, however about high quality.
High quality comes from figuring out the actual drawback or alternative that the group must deal with after which reverse engineering options from that, versus simply developing with 1000’s of concepts in brainstorming periods that can by no means be developed, which many individuals mistakenly assume constitutes innovation.
High quality comes from figuring out the actual drawback or alternative, then reverse engineering options, somewhat than producing numerous concepts in brainstorming periods which is commonly mistaken for innovation.
Colin: Boundaries assist foster innovation, making it sensible. It is humorous you introduced this up, it resonates very strongly with experiences I’ve had. Many consumers simply need as many concepts as potential, no boundaries, no field. However there’s, and there ought to at all times be a field with a quantity and a timeframe. It feels like that is the place your preliminary concepts, your methodologies began to formulate, from that trial and error.
Stephen: Completely. It began at Accenture after we launched the innovation follow. It was initially positioned underneath the quilt of course of enchancment, however in actuality, it was a course of follow centered on innovation.
We rolled out Course of Excellence Rules, and it was wonderful to witness how inside 9 months we remodeled a bunch that originally had no understanding of innovation into a bunch of 20,000 individuals who accomplished a full-day coaching program. Moreover, 40,000 folks acquired copies of the e-book [Process Excellence Principles, internal release], and I nonetheless see those self same folks virtually 30 years later, they usually nonetheless bear in mind the content material. They bear in mind this system and many individuals nonetheless have the supplies as a result of it was that related.
We didn’t deal with methodologies, however somewhat on elementary timeless rules that labored 30 years in the past and can hopefully work 30 years from now.
Persona Poker
Colin: I first heard the title Stephen Shapiro in reference to Persona Poker, and I feel it was about 15 years in the past. And I used to be fascinated. I’ve by no means truly had an opportunity to discover Persona Poker, so I’d like to know extra about it.
Stephen: Personality Poker is a card recreation that I developed almost 20 years in the past. It is mainly a regular-looking deck of 52 playing cards. However then there are additionally phrases on every of the playing cards. There are, for instance, a diplomatic card, a rational one, empathetic one, and so forth. Every swimsuit of the deck pertains to the first innovation steps.
The best way the sport works is persons are dealt 5 random playing cards and the purpose of the sport is to get 5 playing cards with phrases that greatest describe the way you see your self. We undergo a few rounds of coaching, and also you commerce attempting to eliminate playing cards that do not describe you and gather the best-fitting 5 playing cards. You additionally undergo a means of gifting in order that others can see how they’re perceived, which is at all times loads of enjoyable.
Most character assessments, if you wish to name it that, deal with who you might be. However the actual worth of character poker is that you should have 5 playing cards in your hand, but there is a 95% probability that you’ll be lacking one swimsuit. That lacking swimsuit is the principle perception. You don’t should have all of them in your palms, but it surely signifies what sort of individual you could work with.
So, on this recreation you get to see how folks understand you; you get to see the way you understand your self, however you additionally get to see what’s lacking. You wish to ensure that your staff is taking part in with a full deck. You get to be taught that not each individual can match each single fashion. So, who are you able to speak to? Who are you able to associate with?
Pivotal vs Pivot
Colin: I really like this concept of being extra various when it comes to the forms of those who we convey into the innovation course of as a result of we all know that teamwork and various views drive higher options.
You have written a number of books and you have got a new one popping out Pivotal: Creating Stability in an Unsure World. Inform us about that.
Stephen: The COVID-19 pandemic was a time when many organizations declared “pivot” because the phrase of the 12 months 2020, however the idea of pivoting predates that. Companies have been altering path for many years. The issue I discovered is that organizations get so enamored with the brand new that they neglect concerning the current. They focus a lot on what’s subsequent that they neglect the place they’re at present, they usually emphasize what to alter over what should not change. I’ve seen a recurring challenge: burnout, confusion, and overwhelm from worrying about seemingly new alternatives that usually grow to be simply distractions.
Now, whether or not it is the pandemic, provide chain points, inflation, recessionary worries, or AI, we have to ask ourselves: Are these items alternatives or issues? Are these items points we have to handle, and the way can we get the best leverage?
The entire level of Pivotal is to supply a distinct perspective. As a substitute of pivoting, which may really feel like spinning round in circles, being pivotal means being of essential significance. That is what I need my purchasers to be—crucially essential to their prospects, to their workers, and for workers to be crucially essential to their employers.
As soon as we begin fascinated by what makes us particular, our innate items, abilities, abilities, and differentiators as a company, we will leverage that. As a substitute of adjusting path or pivoting, we double down on what’s most essential. In essence, that is what the brand new e-book is about.
Colin: Many organizations do not spend sufficient time fascinated by their core competencies and belongings. They usually confuse what they’re good at with what they promote, which isn’t at all times the identical factor. Do you see organizations beginning to problem themselves to grasp their distinctive strengths?
Stephen: Many organizations are very product or service-oriented—they deal with what they promote or make. Nevertheless, services and products will be replicated and have restricted lifespans. For instance, new cellphone fashions are launched ceaselessly. If we’re product-centric, we’re continuously chasing the following factor. If we deal with our capabilities, we will spend money on areas that can result in future services and products without having to continuously reinvent.
Inside organizations, the way in which I see it work will be categorized into three forms of actions (not departments or jobs, however actions that everybody does). These are:
- Help Actions: These do not create buyer worth however are obligatory for inside operations, like payroll. Investing closely in creating one of the best payroll system wouldn’t be a very good funding.
- Core Actions: These create buyer worth however will not be the principle cause prospects do enterprise with you. If finished poorly, they will drive prospects away. Organizations usually spend an excessive amount of time on these, but it surely’s higher to both optimize them or associate with those that excel in these areas.
- Differentiating Actions: These make you particular and distinctive, and it is best to focus most of your power right here. It is best to innovate the place you differentiate and discover completely different methods for all the pieces else in your group.
It is a easy idea, however its implications for people, groups, and organizations will be profound.
Challenges for Innovators Immediately
Colin: I feel for management this considering must be far more snug as a result of they’re underneath stress to as you say, at all times assume that they have to pivot, take into consideration the long run, to be agile. As a substitute, this method suggests taking a break to first perceive what the corporate is sweet at, its core strengths, after which doubling down on them. After which the opposite actions will be the issues that they alter. I feel it’s an attention-grabbing manner of it.
Let’s speak concerning the challenges that innovators face at present. We reside in an attention-grabbing interval; we have been via most likely extra disruptions within the final 15 years than any of us would have anticipated. The place do you assume the challenges are for company innovators at present and what are the essential issues that must be addressed?
Stephen: I feel the important thing problem goes again to the concept of being pivotal. We have to take a second to determine what we do higher than anybody else that the world values and that can stand the take a look at of time. Figuring out and investing in these areas can present us with stability and sanity, which is essential proper now.
Take AI for example. AI is a buzzword, and everybody needs to make use of giant language fashions and different types of AI. Whereas AI is essential and invaluable, I’d argue that for many organizations, AI is a core exercise, not a differentiating one. What’s differentiating at present will probably turn into core tomorrow.
Many innovators and firms are shifting their methods to turn into AI-centric, but when your sole technique is AI, you turn into a commodity as a result of everyone seems to be doing AI.
Many innovators and firms are shifting their methods to turn into AI-centric, but when your sole technique is AI, you turn into a commodity as a result of everyone seems to be doing AI.
The crucial half is to obviously determine what’s core and what’s differentiating. Getting readability on this distinction will vastly profit any group.
Innovation within the Future
Colin: And fascinated by the long run, what will get you excited when fascinated by innovation in 5, 10 years?
Stephen: I’m excited concerning the function of AI. Whereas I do not assume it is differentiating for many organizations, its potential continues to be thrilling, large, and game-changing at many alternative ranges. Many applied sciences share that potential, so I am passionate about all of them.
Nevertheless, as we delve deeper into expertise, human significance will improve, not lower. Embracing this understanding, we will leverage expertise to free us up for higher-level considering. This recognition makes it a robust and thrilling time.
When firms perceive that folks will at all times be their biggest belongings and that with the suitable capabilities and abilities, they will invent no matter is required subsequent, it turns into extremely thrilling.
Be taught extra about Stephen’s work at Stephen Shapiro’s web site.
Discover extra details about Persona poker at https://www.personalitypokerstore.com/
Join with Colin and be taught extra about Hype Innovation consultants right here.
You may hearken to The Innovation Room Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.