In this discussion with Stephen Shapiro, a former leader at Accenture, listeners learn how he transformed his career from optimizing business processes to fostering innovation and job creation. He emphasizes anchoring to core strengths while navigating change, using the basketball pivot as a metaphor for stability in uncertainty. Shapiro critiques the chase for fleeting trends, advocating for deepening organizational differentiation instead. He also explores workplace evolution post-pandemic and the importance of emotional engagement in customer connections.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Prioritize Investments
Categorize work into support, core, and differentiating to prioritize investments.
Focus on partnering for core work and innovating where you differentiate.
insights INSIGHT
Defining Differentiators
A true differentiator isn't just what makes you different, but a desirable and durable capability.
It enables you to create new products and services repeatedly.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Otis Elevator's Pivot
Otis Elevator shifted from manufacturing to servicing elevators, becoming experts in all things elevators.
This deepened their value and expanded their profit sources.
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Welcome to episode #950 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.
Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #950. My good friend, Stephen Shapiro, is not one to take the standard approach to anything. As the former leader of Accenture's business process reengineering practice, he realized that optimizing business efficiency was leading to layoffs - a direction he didn't want to pursue. So, instead of continuing on that path, Stephen pivoted. He built Accenture's 20,000-person innovation practice and refocused his efforts on growth and job creation. From there, Stephen became a full-time speaker and author, helping organizations from 3M to Nike rethink how they tackle innovation. In our latest conversation (he has been on the show multiple times), Stephen shares insights from his new book, Pivotal - Creating Stability In An Uncertain World. It's all about anchoring yourself in what shouldn't change, even as everything else spins around. He likens it to a basketball pivot - one foot stays planted while the other moves, creating both stability and flexibility. Stephen argues that, too often, businesses are caught chasing the next shiny thing, while what truly matters gets neglected. Instead of scattering resources, Stephen suggests that organizations focus on deepening their core strengths and identifying their differentiators. It's the planted foot - the foundation - that holds the key to long-term success. We also discuss the importance of creating a culture that supports slow, thoughtful innovation, rather than the kind of chaotic sprinting that leaves teams burned out. Companies like Apple are great examples, doubling down on services and ecosystems that reinforce their unique strengths. Stephen emphasized that the best innovation isn't always fast - it's about having the patience to focus on the right direction. He is also the author of many other books (here are two other that I love: Invisible Solutions, Best Practices Are Stupid) and his game, Personality Poker. Enjoy the conversation...
Thinking With Mitch Joel