Carol Tavris - Mistakes Were Made But Not By Me

The Psychology of Self-Justification with Carol Tavris

In this episode, Aidan McCullen interviews Carol Tavris, co-author of 'Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me),' to explore the intricacies of cognitive dissonance, self-justification, and memory. They investigate why humans find it difficult to admit mistakes, even in the presence of irrefutable evidence. Through numerous case studies and real-world examples, they discuss the implications of these psychological mechanisms in areas as varied as personal life, law enforcement, and political decision-making. The conversation tackles how these insights can apply to everyone from parents and judges to business leaders and law enforcement, emphasizing the significance of humility, critical thinking, and the human tendency to rewrite personal histories to fit current beliefs.

00:00 Introduction to Self-Justification

01:14 Welcoming the Author: Carol Tavris

02:17 The Premise of the Book

03:06 Understanding Cognitive Dissonance

08:44 Memory and Self-Justification

14:43 Confabulations and False Memories

23:02 The Pyramid of Choice

32:42 Law Enforcement and Wrongful Convictions

37:58 The Importance of Correcting Interrogation Methods

38:33 The Impact of Miscarriages of Justice

38:55 Examples of Recognizing Mistakes

39:52 The 1980s and 90s Hysteria Over Child Abuse

40:21 The McMartin Daycare Scandal

41:06 Flawed Child Interrogation Techniques

42:58 A Case of Misunderstanding: Daddy's Pee Pee

44:53 The Emotional Toll of False Convictions

47:39 The Pyramid of Entrapment and Justification

48:48 The Influence of Bias in Decision Making

50:32 The Role of Pharmaceutical Companies in Medicine

52:06 Moral Choices and Life Decisions

54:55 Understanding and Living with Cognitive Dissonance

01:03:17 The Power of Admitting Mistakes

01:06:58 The Allure of Victim Narratives

01:08:40 Alien Abductions and Hypnagogic States

01:14:17 The Importance of Understanding Human Frailties

Find Carol here:

https://tavris.socialpsychology.org

That Sarah Silverman interview:

https://youtu.be/FUKdUk_QxAA?si=2kUbf2QCKD08wyaP

Carol's books:

https://tavris.socialpsychology.org/publications

psychology, cognitive dissonance, self-justification, memory, mistakes, humility, ethics, law enforcement, interrogation, wrongful convictions, trauma, alien abductions, confirmation bias, leadership, decision making, self-concept, Carol Tavris (author), Aidan McCullen (host), Elliot Aronson (co-author), Leon Festinger (researcher on cognitive dissonance), James Thurber (author of The Wonderful O), Richard Feynman (scientist and quote source), Mary Carr (memoirist), Joseph Allen (wrongfully convicted), Ronald Reagan (Bitburg cemetery incident), Shimon Peres (comment on Reagan's mistake), Sarah Silverman (Louis C.K. controversy), Louis C.K. (comedian involved in controversy), Jeffrey Cohen (research on political bias), Lee Ross (naive realism), John Mack (psychiatrist on alien abductions), Susan Clancy (researcher on alien abductions), Rich McNally (memory scientist), Antonin Scalia (Supreme Court Justice), Clarence Thomas (Supreme Court Justice), Auburn Blooming (oncologist and co-author)

David Rogers - The Digital Transformation Roadmap Part 2

Mastering Digital Transformation: Insights from David Rogers

In this engaging episode, Aidan sits down with David Rogers, the author of 'The Digital Transformation Roadmap'. They delve into the significant challenges and strategies for digital transformation within organisations. Key topics include overcoming psychological and organisational debt, technical capabilities required for transformation, the importance of suitable technology, retaining key talent, and evolving organisational culture. David also shares insights on governance and iterative funding, emphasising the need for smart shutdowns and resource allocation. The episode is packed with practical examples, including successful digital transformations at Walmart and Netflix. David's profound experience and practical tools make this essential listening for business leaders and innovators.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:13 Understanding Organisational and Technical Debt

02:18 The Importance of Tech Capabilities

03:29 Talent and Culture in Digital Transformation

05:19 Governance in Digital Transformation

08:27 The Role of Teams and Boards

20:00 Smart Shutdowns and Innovation Governance

26:07 The Corporate Innovation Stack

29:34 The Broken Model of Innovation

30:02 Governance Model for Innovation

30:42 Path Three Innovations: Challenges and Management

32:15 Innovation Structures and Strategies

34:12 Skipping Vision and Priorities

35:07 Walmart's Strategic Innovation in Online Grocery

41:24 Four Stages of Validation

49:21 Case Studies: Netflix and Diapers.com

54:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Find David here: https://davidrogers.digital

Find Aidan McCullen for Keynotes and Corporate Workshops here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidanmccullen/

David Rogers, Aidan McCullen, Digital Transformation, Innovation Governance, Iterative Funding, Corporate Innovation, Organizational Change, Innovation Strategy, Technical Debt, Psychological Debt, Innovation Boards, Startup Culture, Agile Methodology, Product Validation, Strategic Priorities, Business Validation, Smart Shutdowns, Innovation Stack, Customer Validation, Executive Insights

Unlocking Successful Digital Transformation: Insights from David L. Rogers

In this episode, David L. Rogers, author of 'The Digital Transformation Roadmap' and 'The Digital Transformation Playbook,' joins Aidan to discuss the critical steps and challenges businesses face in their journey towards digital transformation. Rogers emphasises the importance of transforming not just products and business models but the organisation itself.

He outlines five major barriers to success: vision, priorities, experimentation, governance, and capabilities.

Through insightful case studies such as the New York Times and CNN+, Rogers illustrates the pitfalls and successful strategies for driving meaningful innovation.

Additionally, he highlights the need for iterative funding and continuous adaptation in the face of uncertainty. This episode is packed with practical advice and lessons drawn from two decades of research and real-world examples, aimed at helping leaders navigate and thrive in the digital age.

00:00 Introduction to Digital Transformation

00:57 Meet the Author: David L. Rogers

01:47 The Evolution of Digital Transformation

02:36 Challenges and Misconceptions

07:48 Defining Digital Transformation

09:56 Barriers to Success

22:26 Case Study: The New York Times

31:33 Setting Realistic Expectations for Change

32:21 Defining a Clear Vision for Change

34:03 Empathy and Resistance to Change

34:53 Challenges of Corporate Innovation

36:15 Addressing Uncertainty in Innovation

39:27 Paths to Innovation and Growth

41:41 Case Study: The Failure of CNN Plus

49:55 Iterative Funding and the Facebook Example

54:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Find David here:

Substack: http://davidrogersdigital.substack.com

Website: https://davidrogers.digital

The Missing Link Between Strategy and Innovation article David mentioned:

https://hbr.org/2024/03/the-missing-link-between-strategy-and-innovation

The episode we mentioned with Steve Blank:

The Startup Owner's Manual: The Step-By-Step Guide for Building a Great Company

https://youtu.be/JbPRE2oCjnY?si=S0ULzjFLdnsU-1Ix

Aidan McCullen, David Rogers, digital transformation roadmap, digital transformation playbook, corporate governance, iterative experimentation, Facebook, CNN Plus, startup funding, media industry, New York Times, Steve Blank, Bob Dorf, Rita McGrath, Stefan Tompkin, Peter Thiel, Jason Keillar, Jeff Zucker

In the latest episode of the Corporate Explorer series, brought to you by Wazoku, we discuss the importance of balancing personal instincts with data and evidence in business decisions. Guests, Product Marketing Manager for Electric Vehicles & Customer Experience with Cadillac, Sarah Spoto and Vincent Ducret from ChangeLogic share their experiences of implementing experimental frameworks in China for General Motors. They emphasize the critical steps of assumption analysis, prioritizing hypotheses, and iterative experimentation, while also addressing challenges in corporate environments, such as maintaining cultural buy-in and celebrating failures as learning opportunities. Sponsored by Wazoku, the episode offers deep dives into innovation management, strategic risk-taking, and the use of connected collective intelligence to drive business success.

00:00 Introduction: The Pitfalls of Instinct-Driven Decisions

00:40 The Role of Data in Corporate Exploration

01:07 Sponsor Message: Wazoku's Innovation Ecosystem

01:56 Incubation and De-risking New Business Ideas

02:19 Meet the Corporate Explorers: Sarah Spoto and Vincent Ducraix

02:50 Sarah Spoto's Journey in Corporate Innovation

04:40 Vincent Ducraix's Background and Experience

06:55 The Business Learning Life Cycle Framework

08:10 The Importance of De-risking in Corporate Ventures

13:04 Challenges and Strategies in Corporate Experimentation

14:33 The Role of Leadership and Team Buy-in

21:08 Case Study: Experimentation in China

30:28 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Find Sarah here: https://sarahspoto.com

Find Vincent here: https://changelogic.com/team/vincent-ducret/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vducret/

Key Takeaways

This conversation explores business experimentation using a framework outlined in the Corporate Explorer book. Here are the key takeaways:

Challenges of Corporate Innovation:

• Reliance on past experience can lead to failure in new ventures due to high uncertainties.
• Traditional methods like surveys might not capture the right data for untested ideas.

The Business Experiments Framework:

• Identify Key Assumptions: List all critical assumptions about your new venture (customer value proposition,problem addressed, etc.).
• Prioritize Assumptions: Focus on the riskiest assumptions that could derail the project.
• Design Experiments: Create creative experiments to test these assumptions with real customer data (not just surveys).
• Collect Learnings: Analyze experiment results to validate or disprove assumptions.
• Iterate: Use learnings to refine your approach and potentially conduct new experiments on remaining assumptions.

Benefits of Business Experiments:

• Reduces risk by validating assumptions before significant resource investment.
• Provides data-driven decision making for building the right product for the right customer.

Challenges of Implementing Business Experiments:

• Balancing Speed and De-risking: There's a tension between demonstrating progress and taking the time to properly de-risk the project.
• Cultural Shift: Organizations need to embrace experimentation and see failures as learning opportunities.
• Team Buy-in: Both leadership and working-level teams need to understand the value of experimentation.

Success Factors:

• Strong Leadership Support: Having advocates who understand and champion the approach is crucial.
• Cultural Investment: Educate teams on the process and celebrate failures as learning opportunities.
• Focus on Learning: Value the insights gained from experiments, even if they disprove assumptions.

Example Implementation:

• Sarah Spoto's experience in China highlights the importance of setting the right incentives and building a cross-functional team for experimentation.
• Assumptions analysis is a valuable starting point, even if full experimentation isn't implemented.

Overall, business experimentation offers a structured approach for de-risking new ventures and making data-driven decisions in the face of uncertainty.

The Power of Communication: Insights from Sally Susman, Author of 'Breaking Through'

In this episode, Aiden welcomes Sally Susman, author of 'Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts, and Change the World' to discuss the vital role of communication in professional and personal settings. Sally shares insights from her extensive career, including her experiences working with top leaders at Pfizer, Estee Lauder, and American Express. The discussion explores the misconception of communication as a soft skill, the importance of authentic outreach, the power of gratitude, and Susman's innovative approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sally also emphasises curiosity, creativity, and intentionality as key components for effective communication. Throughout the episode, real-life anecdotes and practical advice offer listeners valuable lessons on leadership and connection.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:39 The Importance of Communication

03:24 Lessons from Estee Lauder

06:09 Personal Background and Family Influence

08:51 The Power of Gratitude

13:15 Perfecting Your Pitch

23:02 Humour in the Workplace

29:36 Challenges at Pfizer

32:03 Facing the Biopharma Reputation Challenge

33:37 The Pandemic's Impact and New Leadership

35:02 Albert Bourla's Bold Vision

36:30 Revolutionising Vaccine Development

37:25 The Media's Role in the Journey

38:55 Pfizer's Transformation and Recognition

40:46 Innovative Leadership and Personal Growth

49:30 Curiosity and Creativity in Action

56:47 The Power of Intentionality

58:46 Concluding Thoughts and Inspirations

Find Sally here: https://www.sallysusman.com/media/

The Proximity Revolution: Transforming Industries and Daily Life

In this episode, we delve into the proximity revolution with authors Rob C. Wolcott and Kaihan Krippendorff. The discussion centers on how digital technologies are expediting the production and delivery of customized products, services, and experiences, vastly transforming industries from agriculture to healthcare. The concept of 'proximity' shows promise in improving sustainability, optimizing supply chains, and enhancing customer personalization through innovations like vertical farming and on-demand 3D printing.

The conversation also explores the strategic implications of this shift for businesses, highlighting the importance of visionary thinking and practical applications. Tune in to discover how proximity is poised to reshape our world and what leaders can do to navigate these changes effectively.

00:00 Introduction to the Proximity Revolution

01:02 Meet the Authors: Rob C. Wolcott and Kaihan Krippendorff

02:25 Defining Proximity: Anything, Anywhere, Anytime

03:28 Real-World Examples: Coca Cola Freestyle and Vertical Farms

06:09 Proximity in Agriculture: From Dubai to Your Dinner Table

09:52 The Role of Technology in Proximity

11:15 Proximity in Food Supply Chains: Efficiency and Sustainability

12:50 Innovative Solutions: Haier's Peking Duck Challenge

16:34 Moment of Use and Controlled Environment Agriculture

22:54 Case Study: Interstellar Lab and Growing Food on Mars

26:38 Why Proximity? The Drivers Behind the Trend

27:00 The Shift in Global Conditions and Technology

28:04 The Rise of Small Footprint Production

28:42 Digital Proximity and Generative AI

29:28 Geopolitical and Climate Drivers

30:16 The Digital Customer and Predictive Analytics

30:53 Domino's Pizza: A Case Study in Proximity

33:26 Healthcare Revolution: Medicines on Demand

34:52 On Demand Pharmaceuticals: A Game Changer

37:37 Future of Healthcare: Predictive Monitoring

42:53 Proximity Strategies for Businesses

49:01 Investing in Proximity Innovations

51:09 Conclusion and Where to Find More

52:09 Bonus Episode on Proximity in Action with Dr Ian McCabe

Understanding Emotional Dynamics for Creative Problem Solving with Wendy Smith

In this episode, Aidan is joined by Wendy Smith, co-author of 'Both/And Thinking,' to discuss the crucial role of emotions in addressing creative tensions and solving tough problems. Wendy emphasises moving beyond cognitive approaches to engage the heart, recognising and honouring emotions as vital to navigating uncertainty and innovation. The episode dives deep into actionable tools such as pausing to reflect, broadening perspectives, and dynamically adapting to changing environments. The episode concludes with practical insights from Unilever's approach to managing tensions under Paul Polman's leadership and tips for leaders to embrace paradoxical thinking in their organisations.

00:00 Introduction to Embracing Tensions

02:07 The Importance of Emotions in Innovation

03:45 Tools for Comfort with Discomfort

06:27 The Power of Pausing and Breathing

15:08 Broadening Perspectives for Creative Solutions

18:08 Navigating Organisational Change and Conflict

19:46 The Role of Dynamism in Innovation

22:56 Case Study: Honda's Emergent Strategy

26:09 Case Study: Paul Polman and Unilever

36:59 Leadership and Paradox Management

48:17 Conclusion and Resources

Find Wendy here:

https://bothandthinking.net

And Substack here:

https://wendyksmith.substack.com

Contact Aidan McCullen for Keynote Speaking, Corporate Workshops and Education Tourism to Dublin and California: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidanmccullen/

https://aidanmccullen.com

Find the Innovation Show on Substack and Website:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

https://theinnovationshow.io

Developing an Ecosystem Playbook for Corporate Innovation with Best Buy Case Study

In this episode, we delve into the strategies corporate explorers need to develop successful partnerships and co-innovate to deliver value propositions to their consumers. Our guest, Christine Griffin, shares a six-step process for creating an ecosystem playbook, using Best Buy's expansion into the home health market as a compelling case study. We examine how Best Buy transitioned from a retail giant to an orchestrator of home health services through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. Additionally, we explore the importance of understanding value creation, identifying market breakpoints, mapping ecosystem players, and assessing financial flows. This episode also highlights the critical roles of scaling path, capabilities, capacities, and customer access in achieving business success.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Wazoku, for supporting corporate innovation.

00:00 Introduction to Corporate Innovation

00:39 Sponsor Acknowledgment and Guest Introduction

01:52 Overview of Best Buy's Home Health Strategy

03:16 Best Buy's Acquisitions and Initial Footprint

03:55 Building Partnerships in the Healthcare Ecosystem

05:12 Mapping the Ecosystem and Identifying Break Points

10:04 Understanding the Players and Their Roles

12:35 Evaluating Incentives and Profit Pools

15:12 Developing a Scaling Path

18:03 The Importance of Stakeholder Involvement

19:46 Conclusion and Further Resources

Corporate Explorers, Innovation Strategy, Innovation Ecosystems, Best Buy Case Study, Christine Griffin, Scaling Startups, Corporate Innovation, Business Ecosystems, Strategic Partnerships, Innovation Show, Wazoku, Sustainable Innovation, Hubert Joly, Ecosystem Playbook, Technology Adoption, Corporate Explorer Series, Corporate Strategy, Innovation Tools, Best Buy Health, Business Development, Innovation Leadership, Change Logic, Healthcare Innovation, Digital Health, Startup Scaling, Entrepreneurship, Business Growth, Market Strategy, Innovation Mapping, Corporate Transformation

Find Christine here: https://changelogic.com/team/christine-griffin/

Find Wazoku here: https://www.wazoku.com

In this episode, we are joined again by Wendy Smith,

co-author of 'Both/And Thinking: Embrace Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems.'

Wendy elaborates on the nuances between dilemmas, paradoxes, and tensions, emphasising that these terms are not interchangeable and revealing the psychological and practical implications of recognising and navigating paradoxes. Drawing from her personal experiences and research, Wendy illustrates how both/and thinking can be applied to career decisions, organisational challenges, and broader societal issues. She discusses the limitations of either/or thinking and the harmful patterns it can create, such as intensification, overcorrection, and polarisation.

Using examples from companies like Lego and Gore, Wendy shows how balancing tradition and innovation, centralisation and decentralisation, and other competing demands can lead to more sustainable success. The conversation also delves into the four types of paradoxes: learning, performing, organising, and belonging, and explores strategies to manage these tensions effectively.

This episode is essential for anyone facing complex decisions in their personal or professional life.

00:00 Introduction to Both/And Thinking

00:12 Understanding Tensions and Dilemmas

03:08 Defining Paradox and Its Importance

05:23 Embracing Paradoxes in Real Life

08:00 Conditions That Highlight Paradoxes

16:51 Exploring the Four Types of Paradoxes

23:28 Navigating Organisational Paradoxes

31:23 The Paradox System Framework

36:57 Lego's Journey Through Paradox

45:40 Conclusion and Further Resources

Find Wendy here: https://bothandthinking.net/book/

And on Substack here: https://wendyksmith.substack.com

Wendy Smith, Both and Thinking, Aidan McCullen, innovation, paradox, decision making, leadership, career challenges, tension management, creativity, organisational behaviour, success, problem solving, conflict resolution

In this episode, we are joined by Wendy Smith, co-author of 'Both/And Thinking: Embrace Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems.' Wendy elaborates on the nuances between dilemmas, paradoxes, and tensions, emphasising that these terms are not interchangeable and revealing the psychological and practical implications of recognising and navigating paradoxes. Drawing from her personal experiences and research, Wendy illustrates how both/and thinking can be applied to career decisions, organisational challenges, and broader societal issues. She discusses the limitations of either/or thinking and the harmful patterns it can create, such as intensification, overcorrection, and polarisation. Using examples from companies like Lego and Gore, Wendy shows how balancing tradition and innovation, centralisation and decentralisation, and other competing demands can lead to more sustainable success. The conversation also delves into the four types of paradoxes: learning, performing, organising, and belonging, and explores strategies to manage these tensions effectively. This episode is essential for anyone facing complex decisions in their personal or professional life. 00:00 Introduction to Both/And Thinking 00:12 Understanding Tensions and Dilemmas 03:08 Defining Paradox and Its Importance 05:23 Embracing Paradoxes in Real Life 08:00 Conditions That Highlight Paradoxes 16:51 Exploring the Four Types of Paradoxes 23:28 Navigating Organisational Paradoxes 31:23 The Paradox System Framework 36:57 Lego's Journey Through Paradox 45:40 Conclusion and Further Resources