What if conflict isn’t the problem — but the engine of innovation?

In this episode, innovation expert Jeff DeGraff joins Russel to explore why adaptability isn’t about reacting to change — it’s about embracing ambiguity, practicing paradox, and creating constructive conflict inside your teams.

They discuss:

• Why over-alignment kills innovation
• The difference between reacting and adaptive thinking
• How small experiments build momentum
• Why culture isn’t a “thing” — it’s how leaders lead
• The role of vision in holding chaos together

If you’re leading through uncertainty, AI disruption, or organizational tension, this conversation reframes how real innovation actually happens.

Hey! If you're enjoying the insights from our guests, you'll love our R@W Notes Newsletter. It’s packed with guest takeaways, the resources that inspire them, and my own tips on how we as leaders can be better humans for the humans the are responsible for. Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Subscribe Now and help the workplace be more human.

Want more from our conversations on the show? Subscribe to the R@W Notes Newsletter! It’s where I share top takeaways from our guests, the resources that fuel their success, and my personal insights on how we as leaders more human. And we need more human.
 Go to RelationshipsAtWorkShow.com and Sign up today to keep your leadership journey on the right path. 

And connect with me for more great content!

• Sign Up for R@W Notes
• Subscribe on Youtube
• Follow on Linkedin
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow me on Threads
• Follow on TikTok
• Email me anytime