Coaching for Leaders 418: The Way to Nurture New Ideas, with Safi Bahcall
Jul 8, 2019
Join Safi Bahcall, a second-generation physicist and biotech entrepreneur, as he unpacks the secrets behind nurturing innovative ideas in organizations. He introduces the concept of 'loonshots'—neglected yet transformative ideas—and emphasizes the leader's role as a gardener, cultivating creativity with genuine curiosity. Bahcall discusses the delicate balance between 'soldiers' and 'artists' in teams and shares historical examples like Steve Jobs that illustrate the importance of supporting unconventional innovations. Discover how to bridge the gap for successful execution and innovation.
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Artists and Soldiers: Two Essential Phases
- Organizations need both artists (creatives) and soldiers (those who execute).
- This is called phase separation, like an ice cube with solid and liquid phases.
The Beautiful Baby Problem
- Artists see their innovations as beautiful babies, while soldiers see flaws.
- Xerox PARC developers saw potential in PCs, while marketers saw expensive, slow technology.
Lead Like a Gardener
- Leaders should act like gardeners, nurturing the transfer between artists and soldiers.
- Manage the touch and balance between these groups, rather than acting like Moses.
