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The real reason why companies fail to innovate? They stifle their creative talent Organisations are constantly pursuing change and innovation, yet often fail to recognise that independent, strong-minded employees are frequently the key to success. Instead, the system tends to preserve itself, observes Simone van Neerven. Too headstrong Charles Wintour was editor-in-chief of the Evening Standard for […]

What every organisation can learn from CoolBlue’s deeper philosophy behind “everything for a smile” Many managers hesitate to grant their employees autonomy, fearing it may be misused. However, Pieter Zwart of Coolblue and researcher Martin Seligman show that the opposite is actually true. Everything for a smile It’s 1999. Pieter Zwart is studying business administration

In a tough situation? Take a cue from Harry Potter and turn “oh no” into “aha!” Sometimes you can’t avoid a difficult situation, but you can use it to your advantage. Daniel Radcliffe showed this when he cleverly outsmarted the paparazzi, and Ivan Lendl turned the noise at the US Open into a training advantage.

The greatest danger to any organisation is not disengagement but indifference It is September 26, 1983. The Cold War is at its peak of tension, just three weeks after Soviet forces shot down Korean Air Flight 007. In a bunker near Moscow, Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Petrov of the Soviet Armed Forces is on duty, monitoring

Want to prevent rebels from becoming whistleblowers? Then do this! Most whistleblowers begin as rebels who dare to speak up and say what needs to be said. Yet, they are often ignored, while we should be grateful for them. They are the canaries in the office coal mine. Innovation expert Simone van Neerven shares how

Every organisation needs its wild ducks There are some in every organisation: those quirky types with unconventional ideas, contagious energy, and a nose for innovation. They are rare, don’t fit in, and are exactly what you need to make progress. Do you try to tame them, or do you dare to give them space? Wild

It is a big misconception that employees do not want to change People love change, but only when given the space to think along. Working with a vision and frameworks is a simple but very effective method. KLM’s SWAT team When Pieter Elbers became CEO of KLM in 2014, he faced a major challenge and

Frustration tolerance will be the most crucial skill for 2025 How do you respond to a new idea that takes you out of your comfort zone? In a world that is constantly changing, it is becoming increasingly important to be able to deal with discomfort and setbacks. Those who can embrace discomfort instead of walking

Embracing discomfort makes you more successful What do John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the Wright brothers and the founders of Google have in common? They show that disagreement and opposing views can create magic. It is easy to walk away from uncomfortable situations, but often, new insights and opportunities arise in these moments of discomfort.

Unsolicited advice: bloody annoying, but often the source of a breakthrough Swiss aerodynamics engineer Éric Favre changed how we drink and experience coffee with his idea for the Nespresso coffee machine. But it wasn’t easy: Nestlé initially rejected the idea. “Employees who spontaneously share advice show great commitment and engagement, which is what organisations need

Toxic bosses have highly engaged teams, and people stay longer to work for them. How come? Many organisations understand the importance of engaged employees but are unaware of the paradox that toxic leaders can have a highly motivated team. At least on paper … Humiliating experience In 2008, Apple launched ‘MobileMe’, a new internet service

Oh dear, a super chicken in your team! Now what? Many organisations focus on outcomes but pay little to no attention to how these results are accomplished. To ensure that a team performs at its best, KPIs for mutual collaboration are crucial, writes Simone van Neerven. Throw like a granny In basketball, free throw means

Andre Agassi’s curiosity led to a surprising insight about Boris Becker’s tongue Curious employees are often intrinsically driven to make things better. Even though their actions don’t always seem to lead anywhere, Simone van Neerven illustrates with an anecdote about top tennis player Andre Agassi that it could potentially result in a breakthrough. Boris Becker’s

Rebels are the ‘birds of paradise’ of an organisation Years ago, Nike struggled and almost did not make it. As an emergency measure, they organised a contest and discovered some hidden rebel talent within their own organisation. And that saved them from going under. Organisations need to understand that rebels are not troublemakers, but they

Are you open to crazy ideas from your employees? An ‘absurd’ idea from an employee can easily lead to a breakthrough for the organisation. At least, as long as leaders are open to it and won’t get in the way. And that takes a lot of courage… Let’s cut off the legs of the table!