How managers turn innovation ideas into real business wins
Innovation vs risk management for managers. Hear practical insights and proven strategies to build a high performance, innovative team culture.
How can managers balance innovation with risk management in large organisations?
Also on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
What this episode covers
Many good ideas within organisations never reach implementation because innovation and risk management are often seen as incompatible. In this episode, Colin Duff, CEO of Mosaic Innovation, draws on 20 years of experience helping global brands navigate this tension. He explains why managers are rarely the problem and why innovation stalls higher up the leadership chain. Colin shares practical strategies to create small wins, reduce decision friction, and foster a culture that moves beyond brainstorming to action. This episode is a must-listen for leaders seeking clear, actionable advice on how to make their ideas happen.
Who this is for: General managers and senior operators running teams who find their good ideas rarely get implemented and want practical ways to change that.
Key takeaways
- Innovation often stalls because organisations struggle to balance risk perception with the need to try new ideas.
- Small wins are critical to build momentum and shift culture towards accepting innovation.
- Managers are not the root problem; often, the barriers to innovation lie higher up the leadership chain.
- Effective innovation requires moving beyond brainstorming to practical steps that address decision friction.
- Regularly assessing where decisions are stalling helps identify bottlenecks and unblock progress on ideas.
Innovation and risk management are often at odds for managers leading large teams. In this episode, explore proven ways to drive innovation while managing risk, with practical insights for operational leaders looking to build a high performance culture that delivers results.
What you will learn
- Understand how to overcome barriers to innovation in large organisations
- Discover strategies for managers to balance innovation and risk management
- Learn how to build momentum and create an innovative team culture
- Gain actionable insights from real world examples and war stories
Colin Duff, CEO of Mosaic Innovation, joins the show to share two decades of experience guiding global brands through innovation and cultural transformation.
Episode highlights
- (1:19) Introduction of Colin Duff, CEO of Mosaic Innovation
- (3:48) Colin's journey into innovation and cultural transformation
- (8:31) Assessment of innovation levels in large enterprises
- (12:59) Addressing the tension between innovation and risk perception
- (15:40) Strategies for initiating innovation in organisations
- (19:22) Colin's favourite insight about an unsuccessful innovation in the market
- (21:26) Small wins and momentum building strategies for creating an innovative culture
- (26:17) How to connect with Colin Duff and key takeaway: "Get out of thought land"
- (29:21) Outro
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Get the Quick-Win PackQuestions managers ask about this episode
Why do good ideas often fail to get implemented in organisations?
Good ideas frequently fail because organisations struggle to balance innovation with risk management, leading to decision bottlenecks and a culture that resists change. Leadership layers above managers often create friction that stalls progress, making it difficult for ideas to move beyond the initial brainstorming phase.
How can I build momentum for innovation within my team?
Focus on achieving small wins that demonstrate tangible results. These successes help shift culture by showing that innovation can deliver value without excessive risk, gradually increasing acceptance and encouraging further experimentation.
What role do managers play in the innovation process?
Managers are typically not the root cause of stalled innovation; instead, barriers often exist higher in the leadership hierarchy. Supporting managers with clear decision frameworks and addressing where decisions get stuck can help unblock progress on new ideas.
How can I identify where innovation decisions are getting stuck?
Conduct a diagnostic to find where decision friction occurs and which levels of leadership are bottlenecks. Understanding these points allows you to target interventions effectively and move ideas from thought to action more efficiently.