Tips for Continuous Innovation and Growth

One of the biggest questions I get from companies, large and small, is: How can we be more innovative? This past Wednesday I was invited by Constanza Cortés Moya, Javiera Correa Urzúa of Comedy corp and the amazing team at Banco BICE in #Chile to share my stories, experiences and thoughts on what I believe it takes to be innovative in today's fast-paced, AI driven world. But I didn't talk #AI, #technology, #marketing or new processes.  Instead I focused on something far more subtle, time proven and yet difficult. #Psychological safety.  I broke down my talk into 5 Key Rules or insights that I've found are indispensable if we really want our people to step out of their comfort zone and take risks, challenge us, admit mistakes and challenge each other. Through a combination of powerful, brutally honest and practical stories I used the stage to drive home the 5 things I've seen that #leaders must do if they want to promote more psychological safety on their teams and drive innovation: 1.  Don't hire based on education and skills.  Hire based on values, grit and diversity of experience. A person with the right values, who has pushed through tough times to get where they are can more easily pick missing skills than someone with the skills but with the wrong values and a fear of stepping outside their comfort zone. 2. Never stand still.  Create a space for people to be continuously learning and growing.  Whether it's courses, coaching, training or just a simple quarterly book reading club.  Always be learning. Share what you're reading as a leader and encourage others to be constantly learning and discuss what you learn as a team. 3.  Delegate and empower your teams.  Never be afraid to delegate tasks or projects even if your people fail or if it scares you.  People need to grow and leaders need to delegate in order to focus on their own growth. 4. Give and request feedback constantly.  I only learned about my failure to listen and actively "hear" others through feedback.  Give and ask for feedback often so it becomes a habit and less uncomfortable. 5. Shift your perspective on failure.  Using #okrs while I was at Google many years ago forced me to spend as much time revisiting failures of the past as planning for the future.  Failure is a cruel mistress but the only one that helps us learn. There are few things I love as much as public speaking and sharing stories.  Being on stage brings me joy, purpose and energy.  It's an opportunity for me to share many of the failures I learned from and share some successes. But more importantly it taps directly into my own personal Ikigai or reason for being: To bring the energy to move people to work on things that give them meaning and purpose. And that...makes it all worth doing. Thank you team BICE for your attention, warm welcome and for this chance to share the stage with you.  You all make this work worth doing. Be True, Be Curious, Be Driven. Patrick.

How do you keep up with emerging tech trends? ✏️ Staying ahead in the ever-evolving tech landscape is crucial. Here's my approach to keeping up with emerging trends: 1. Continuous Learning: Embrace a mindset of constant learning. Regularly dedicate time to explore online courses, webinars, and industry publications to stay informed about the latest technologies. 2. Network and Collaborate: Engage with professionals in your industry through networking events, conferences, and online forums. Collaborate with peers to share insights and experiences, fostering a community of mutual learning. 3. Follow Thought Leaders: Identify and follow thought leaders in your field on social media platforms. Subscribe to their blogs, podcasts, or newsletters for curated updates and expert perspectives on emerging trends. 4. Play, Experiment and Prototype: Hands-on experience is invaluable. Allocate time for playing, experimentation and prototyping with new technologies. This practical approach enhances understanding and keeps you at the forefront of innovation. 5. Join Industry Groups: Participate in relevant industry groups or associations. These platforms provide a wealth of information, from discussions on current trends to access to exclusive reports and research. 6. Read Widely: Diversify your reading material. Explore a mix of tech-focused publications, business journals, and interdisciplinary content to gain a holistic view of emerging trends and their potential impacts. 7. Attend Conferences and Webinars: Attend tech conferences and webinars regularly. These events offer firsthand insights, exposure to cutting-edge technologies, and the opportunity to connect with industry leaders. 8. Utilize Online Platforms: Leverage online platforms and tech-focused communities for real-time discussions, problem-solving, and collaborative learning. Remember, the tech landscape evolves rapidly, and adaptability is key. Stay curious, embrace change, and continuously refine your approach to stay at the forefront of emerging tech trends. #TechInnovation #ContinuousLearning 🚀💻

One size doesn't fit all when it comes to learning. Let's dive into personalized learning paths and how they empower our teams. As leaders, we recognize that each employee has unique strengths, preferences, and growth areas. Personalized learning paths allow us to tailor development experiences. Let’s look at 5 strategies for personalized learning: 1. #SkillsAssessment: Start by assessing individual skills. Use tools like competency frameworks or self-assessment surveys. Identify gaps and strengths. Imagine a marketing manager discovering a knack for data analytics during a skills assessment. We can then guide them toward relevant courses or workshops. 2. Customized content: Offer a buffet of learning resources. Some prefer bite-sized videos; others thrive on in-depth articles. Curate content that aligns with diverse learning styles. Imagine a visual learner immersing themselves in infographics about market trends while an analytical thinker dives into case studies. 3. #Microlearning modules: Break down topics into bite-sized chunks. Microlearning fits busy schedules and enhances retention. Imagine short modules on negotiation skills or time management. These snackable lessons can be consumed during coffee breaks or commutes. 4. Assign mentors and learning coaches: They guide employees, provide feedback, and celebrate milestones. A seasoned leader can help a junior manager navigate complex projects. Imagine a mentor sharing insights on stakeholder management or organizational change leadership. 5. Gamified challenges: Set challenges, quizzes, or simulations. Reward progress. Imagine a sales team competing in a product knowledge quiz—learning becomes fun! The top scorer gets a virtual high-five. Remember, agility isn't just about reacting swiftly; it's about learning, adapting, and thriving. #ContinuousLearning #IndividualDevelopment #LearningAndDevelopment

In this second part of our series on the US industrial and manufacturing landscape, let's delve into actionable strategies for achieving excellence. 1. Tailored Digital Transformation: Customize your digital transformation to fit your unique goals. Identify areas – whether it's supply chain optimization, predictive maintenance, or quality control – that can benefit most from digitization. 2. Design Thinking for Real Solutions: Innovation thrives when it addresses real problems. Embrace design thinking – an approach that fosters empathy and collaboration. Understand customer pain points and co-create resonant solutions. 3. Data as Your Guide: Data is your guiding light. Derive insights to make informed decisions. Data-driven insights fuel growth, optimizing production and predicting market trends. 4. Embrace Agility: Agility is a mindset that needs to permeate your operations. Test new ideas, gather feedback, and refine swiftly. Agility ensures you're always aligned with customer needs. 5. Sustainability Sparks Innovation: Sustainability is a wellspring of innovation. Look beyond cost savings – think circular economy models, eco-friendly materials, and energy-efficient processes. 6. Collaborative Power: Forge partnerships that amplify your capabilities. Collaborate with startups, research institutions, and suppliers for fresh perspectives and accelerated innovation. 7. Empower Through Training: Empower your workforce by offering continuous learning. Provide training in emerging technologies, leadership, and industry trends. An empowered team drives transformative change. 8. Cultivate Adaptive Culture: Promote a culture of curiosity, adaptability, and open communication. Ingrain innovation in your culture to navigate evolving landscapes. 9. Embrace Risk and Learning: Encourage calculated risk-taking and create a safe space for learning from failures. These experiences often lead to breakthroughs. 10. Listen for the Future: Anticipate trends by actively listening to your market, customers, and industry. Stay attuned to emerging technologies and market shifts. As we navigate this series, remember that transformation is ongoing. By tailoring digital strategies, embracing design thinking, harnessing data insights, and fostering agility, sustainability, and innovation, you're poised to excel in the evolving industrial and manufacturing landscape. Stay tuned for the final article, where we'll explore customer-centricity's role in driving growth.

How Do You Keep Learning and Growing as an AI Strategist? Continuous learning and growth are essential when playing the AI game,. To stay ahead, you must embrace a dynamic approach that combines self-assessment, mentorship, learning actions, practice, and reflection. Here's a roadmap to fuel your growth: 1️⃣ Assess Your Power and Potential 🔥 Self-Reflection: Start by taking stock of your existing skills and knowledge. What are your strengths in AI strategy? Where do you see gaps? 🔥 Skill Auditing: Regularly assess the AI landscape. What new technologies and trends are emerging? Identify areas where your skills need an upgrade to remain relevant. 🔥 Competitor Analysis: Benchmark against industry leaders. What strategies are they employing? What can you learn from their successes? 2️⃣ Seek Feedback, Partners, and Mentors 🔥 Peer Reviews: Collaborate with peers and seek their feedback. Constructive criticism can help refine your strategies and approaches. 🔥 Mentorship: Establish mentorship relationships with experienced AI strategists. Their guidance and insights can be invaluable on your journey. How can you make the most of your mentor's knowledge? 🔥 Networking: Attend conferences, webinars, and industry events to connect with thought leaders. Every conversation is a chance to gain knowledge. 3️⃣ Learn, Learn, Learn, and Learn 🔥 Continuous Education: Enroll in courses and certifications to stay updated. The AI field evolves rapidly, and formal education can be a valuable asset. 🔥 Read and Research: Regularly read AI literature and research papers. Being well-informed is key to making informed strategic decisions. 🔥 Hackathons and Challenges: Participate in AI hackathons and challenges. Hands-on experience sharpens your problem-solving skills. 4️⃣ Practice and Experiment 🔥 Real-World Application: Apply AI strategies in real-world scenarios. Experimentation and learning from failures are essential steps toward mastery. 🔥 Pilot Projects: Launch small AI projects to test new ideas. These pilot initiatives can provide valuable insights before full-scale implementation. 🔥 Cross-Functional Teams: Collaborate with experts from different domains. Their diverse perspectives can lead to innovative AI solutions. 5️⃣ Assess Yourself. 🔥 Progress review: Periodically assess your progress. Are you meeting your learning and growth goals? Adjust your strategies as needed. 🔥 Feedback Loop: Incorporate feedback from your experiences. What worked well? What needs improvement? Use this feedback to refine your AI strategies. 🔥Goal Monitoring: Continuously set new AI strategy goals. Growth is an ongoing journey, and each milestone achieved is an opportunity to set the bar higher. AI strategy, growth and learning are lifelong companions. By following this roadmap, you'll not only keep pace but thrive as an AI strategist. #AI #Strategy #artificialintelligence #leadership #motivation

Practicing intellectual curiosity is critical to a leader’s journey of continuous learning and growth. We must ask questions, listen actively, seek out different perspectives, and challenge our assumptions. Many leaders read voraciously, reflect regularly, and engage with coaches and mentors to ensure we are exposed to new ideas, insights, and feedback. One practice that has helped me learn and evolve over the years is tracking and analyzing the outcomes of my decisions. This is not about dwelling on mistakes but about accountability, continuous improvement, and leading with intention. I started this as a mid-level manager, thanks to a great boss who taught me how to balance data and instincts—a critical skill to have when you need to make a decision urgently in the absence of a complete set of facts. He coached me to start recording my gut instincts whenever I had to make a decision. I would do a quick gut check and put that insight aside. I would then approach the decision analytically, weighing all the available data to make a determination. Over time, we’d compare the two approaches, tracking the success rate through the years. This practice has stayed with me—in fact, I’m still tracking business decisions I made in Southeast Europe, Germany, and Southeast Asia over the years! As importantly, I track the successful careers of employees I hired, coached, and promoted. This is not only a useful learning exercise of what worked and what didn’t, but also a wonderful way to celebrate the success of others. What are some practices that help you continuously learn and grow? #Leadership #Development #Curiosity #ContinuousLearning #DecisionMaking

I was fortunate to be a founding member of the innovation lab at PayPal and we learnt a lot along the way! most importantly that cultivating innovation is essential to navigating the digital landscape. It requires a foundational shift in our corporate culture. Here are some ways to build and nurture a workplace that drives digital transformation: - Encourage Curiosity: Promote an environment where questioning and exploring are valued. Innovation begins with curiosity. - Invest in Resources: Equip your teams with the necessary tools and continuous learning opportunities to turn innovative ideas into reality. - Normalize Risk-Taking: Support a culture where calculated risks are encouraged, and learning from failures is as celebrated as achieving success. - Enhance Collaboration: Encourage diverse teams to work together, leveraging different perspectives to ignite creative solutions. - Demonstrate Commitment: As leaders, our actions must reflect our innovative values—showing commitment through active participation and support. - Acknowledge Creativity: Regularly recognize and reward creative efforts to motivate sustained innovation across the organization. - Build Networks: Stay engaged with industry leaders and outside thinkers to bring fresh insights and practices into our fold. Fostering a culture of innovation is a commitment to continuous growth and adaptability. #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #BusinessCulture #Leadership #Growth

Every CTO should keep the tech team at the forefront of innovation. Technological evolution moves pretty quickly. The key to staying relevant? Continuous learning. Here’s how I foster continuous learning: Monthly workshops: Whether it’s a deep dive on a new language or the latest in cloud innovations, regular workshops can fuel the knowledge pool. Skill upgrade incentives: Offer reimbursements or bonuses for team members who undertake and complete courses or certifications. Investing in developers’ growth is an investment in your company’s future. Knowledge-sharing: Encourage team members who’ve mastered a new skill or attended a seminar to share insights. Peer-led sessions can be extremely beneficial. Engage with industry experts: Occasionally, we bring in industry experts for masterclass sessions or mentorship. External perspectives can offer a fresh perspective on persistent challenges. The learning curve never plateaus. It’s a perpetual climb. As leaders, our role is to ensure our teams have the right gear, guidance, and motivation to grow. How do you keep your teams learning? I’d love to hear about your strategies! #ContinuousLearning #TechLeadership #StayUpdated #CTO

If you want to attract diverse #womeninsales in 2024, take a page from my parents' book. Here are the 5 critical lessons they taught me: At 17, my dad scored perfectly on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test - on the first try! He worked his way to become one of the Air Force’s first Black In-flight Refueling Specialists. After 20 years, my father retired from the Air Force as a decorated Sergeant. And he wasn’t done. He devoted decades to General Motors as an electrical engineer AND earned his MBA. My mother is a former beauty queen turned badass businesswoman. Myy mom earned her Master’s degree while working 72 hours/week and NEVER missed my recitals, games, or marching band contests. She was the first Black female supervisor in her company. After retiring, she became an entrepreneur, earning countless honors, such as NAWBO National’s Global Business Award. Here’s their advice: 💪🏽 Embrace Continuous Learning My father's journey from acing the ASVAB to becoming an Air Force specialist and later an electrical engineer and MBA taught me the importance of continuous learning. 🌟 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Encourage your team to pursue education and professional development. →Provide resources for courses, workshops, or conferences to keep their skills sharp and current. 💪🏽 Perseverance Pays Off My mother's dedication to earning her Master’s degree while working long hours and never missing my important events taught me the value of perseverance. 🌟 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Create a supportive environment where challenges are seen as growth opportunities →Recognize and reward persistence and hard work. 💪🏽 Work-Life Balance is Crucial My mom never missed any of my recitals or games despite her busy schedule. This showed me the importance of work-life balance. 🌟 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Implement flexible working hours and remote options. →Encourage everyone to take time for their personal commitments and family. 💪🏽 Break Barriers with Confidence My parents broke racial and gender barriers, teaching me the power of confidence. 🌟 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Foster an inclusive culture where everyone feels empowered to share their ideas. →Host workshops on building confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome. 💪🏽 Lead with Innovation and Adaptability Watching my mother transition from a supervisor to a successful entrepreneur highlighted the need for adaptability and innovative thinking. 🌟 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗶𝗽: Encourage adaptability and innovative thinking by hosting regular brainstorming sessions and rewarding innovative ideas, regardless of role or seniority. My parents' legacy of resilience and excellence continues to inspire and guide me every day.🌟 Until next time, Cynthia 🔄 Share if you found value or inspiration 🔔 Stay updated with more insights - Follow Cynthia Barnes 👇 Discover expert advice and connect with your community

Company Dinner with the Method GC Team Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a wonderful dinner with my incredible team at Method GC. As I reflected on our time together, I realized how much I have learned about harnessing and developing a high-performing team. I wanted to share a few important lessons that have been instrumental in our growing success: 1️⃣ Allow your employees to do work that they actually enjoy and excel at. By understanding their passions and strengths, you can create an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their best. Empowering individuals in this way cultivates a sense of fulfillment and drives exceptional results. 2️⃣ Push your employees to think and grow beyond the confines of their own box. Encourage them to challenge their limitations, be creative, and foster innovation. 3️⃣ Give your team the training and tools they need to excel in their roles. Continuous learning and development are essential for growth and success. 4️⃣ Micromanagement is meant for unorganized and undisciplined personnel, not for managers who have worked their way up. Trust is the cornerstone of a strong team. As leaders, we must relinquish the need for control and have faith in our team members' abilities; while also holding employees accountable. By fostering autonomy and providing guidance when needed, we create an environment that breeds success. 5️⃣ Sit with your employees, listen to them, and identify areas where you can help them grow. Actively seeking input from your team members allows you to tap into their unique perspectives and insights. Its not always easy to map out time; but allowing employees to feel safe in knowing that you are approachable and genuinely care about them is one of the keys in building employee trust. I have found that some of our employees input and ideas have helped shape the company's structure and culture; driving solutions, innovation and collaboration. 6️⃣ Avoid forcing employees into tasks or skills where they have proven to struggle consistently. Recognize their strengths and leverage them effectively. By aligning tasks with individual skill sets, you create a harmonious and productive work environment. 7️⃣ Finally, let your team members grow. Encourage them to take on new challenges, provide opportunities for advancement, and support their professional aspirations. A team that feels supported and valued is more likely to go above and beyond to achieve remarkable results. I feel very grateful to lead such an exceptional team at Method GC. Our success is a testament to the collective dedication, talent, and collaboration of each team member! The Method Group Method General Contractors Eli Hecht Arik Naparstek Yaakov Kaplan Shelly Ben-yshay Ben Maruscak Yossi Kievman Benjamin Hill Doba Edelman Baila Manne