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Episode 83 - How to clear an innovation roadblock

Show Notes

Teams that embrace challenges and are open to new ideas can develop better solutions and achieve greater success. Innovation is an iterative process that needs resilience and the ability to adapt to change, and students are learning the role of teamwork within innovation today. Tony Morgan is a professor at Leeds University Business School, within the engineering and physical sciences faculty. He leads a cluster of innovation practice modules where teams of students from different areas across the university work on real-world innovation challenges.

In his conversation with Dan and Pia, he sets out the importance of embracing change and turning problems into opportunities.

In her discussion with Dan and Pia, she advocates for a shift towards relational contracting and emphasises the importance of communication and an outcome-focused approach in contract management.

Takeaways from Dan and Pia

Three reasons to listen

  • To discover the importance of resilience and adaptability in the innovation process through real-world examples and practical techniques
  • To understand the role of teamwork and effective communication in driving successful innovation projects
  • To learn how to navigate and embrace change, turning obstacles into opportunities for growth and creativity

Episode highlights

  • [00:17:25] Dynamics within student innovation teams
  • [00:19:30] Bringing the introverts into the conversation
  • [00:26:30] Putting diverging and converging into practice
  • [00:27:23] The importance of empathy in teamwork
  • [00:33:52] Takeaways from Pia and Dan

Links

Meet the guests

Tony is an Associate Professor in Innovation Management at Leeds University Business School. He joined the University in 2019 following a successful career in technology and innovation at IBM and a highly successful three-year Visiting Professorship sponsored by the Royal Academy of Engineering at the University of Leeds. Tony is an inspiring educator who takes a practical hands-on approach to teaching and learning. He has developed and leads the flagship "LUBS3990 Innovation Thinking and Practice" module, where students from multiple Schools and Faculties develop key innovation and employability skills with input from external experts from industry. In addition, Tony has co-developed and leads the "LUBS5980M Innovation Management in Practice" MSc module and co-developed and teaches the Emerging and Disruptive Technologies module (part of the university’s online Engineering Management MSc). He's also part of the team behind the University's "Innovation Management: Winning in the Age of Disruption" continued professional development online course. One of his additional focus areas is connecting industry and academia. During his IBM career, Tony’s roles included Global Technology Services Chief Innovation Officer for the UK & Ireland, Value Creation Centre Innovation Leader and Client Chief Architect. He also led the creation and delivery of a series of education modules for teaching innovation management to experienced IBM technical and business professionals. Tony has led education sessions across many countries in Europe, the USA and in China. In 2018 Tony led the development of teaching materials for innovation and project related skills for the new IBM Digital Skills Academy targeted at early career professionals (including graduates, interns and apprentices). Tony’s focus areas included creative problem solving, commercial awareness, collaboration, communication and story-telling skills and the delivery of short sharp client innovation projects where early career professionals were given the opportunity to use technology to address real world innovation problems in multiple industries. Tony is the author of the book “Collaborative Innovation: How Clients and Service Providers Can Work by Design to Achieve It” and co-authored the book “Design Thinking for Student Projects” which will be published in 2022.