Julian Birkinshaw: Fighting back in digital transformation

Jan 7, 2026

Julian Birkinshaw, academic leader and strategy scholar (now Dean of Ivey Business School), explores myths about digital disruption. He explains why incumbents can be resilient, the value of ambidexterity, and why fast-second moves often outperform first movers. Short experiments, symbolic leadership, and cautious use of generative AI are highlighted as practical approaches to lasting transformation.

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INSIGHT

Digital Mindset Is The Toughest Shift

The hardest transformation task is building a digital mindset across entrenched teams.
A digital mindset decentralizes attention to market signals so thousands of staff act on changing customer behaviour instead of ignoring it.

ADVICE

Prefer Fast Second Over First Mover

Avoid rushing to be the first mover; often a fast-second strategy wins.
Many winners (Amazon, Google) were not first; moving after early experimentation reduces risk of wasting huge resources on immature tech.

ADVICE

New CEOs Should Pause Before Big Bets

In early tenure avoid sweeping fast decisions on major strategic shifts; take time to think and bring people along.
Use incremental actions and only create separate units when a threat is truly disruptive, as with Auto Trader's disciplined spin-out.

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Incumbent traditional organisations are doomed to failure.

That’s a misleading view that permeates the world of digital transformation. In fact, they can thrive if they develop the right mindsets and capabilities.

Julian Birkinshaw joins me to explore more of the myths and misconceptions surrounding digital transformation, the discipline of balancing today’s pressures with tomorrow’s opportunities, and the art of thoughtful experimentation. Julian draws on his research and his role as Dean of Ivey Business School to show how leaders can navigate profound change without rushing into costly mistakes.

We also examine the leadership qualities needed to inspire innovation across large organisations, the realities of tenure in academia, and his personal habits that fuel sustained strategic performance.

If you lead a team or organisation wrestling with disruption, this discussion offers practical insights for staying relevant and resilient.

“Incumbents have strengths that start-ups can only dream of.” – Julian Birkinshaw

You’ll hear about

Myths that distort the digital disruption narrative
Data revealing incumbent companies’ hidden resilience
Building a digital mindset across established organisations
Balancing present performance with future opportunity
Why “fast-second” often beats first-mover advantage
Inspiring innovation with symbolic leadership actions
Low-cost experiments that signal serious intent
Managing change without rushing major decisions
Generative AI’s real impact on business schools

About Julian:

Julian is a world-leading scholar and dynamic academic leader. Appointed Dean of Ivey Business School at Western University in August 2024, he brings a 25-year legacy at London Business School where he was Vice Dean, Deputy Dean Programmes and Deputy Dean Executive Education.

An internationally renowned authority on innovation, digital transformation, and the strategic agility of large firms, Birkinshaw has authored 16 books - including Resurgent, Fast/Forward, and Becoming a Better Boss.

He has won best paper awards in leading academic journals, and practice-oriented journals. His is a Fellow of the British Academy, Strategic Management Society, American Academy of Management, and Academy of International Business, and holds honorary doctorates from Copenhagen and Stockholm universities.

Profile: https://shorturl.at/yMlO9

Book: https://shorturl.at/AD7n2

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Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.

For more details about me:

● Services (https://rb.gy/ahlcuy) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals.

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