All articles by Scott Kirsner

Article These are the Finalists for InnoLead’s 2020 Impact Awards
August 18, 2020 | By Scott Kirsner
Our 2020 awards will be presented online this October, as part of the year’s biggest gathering of corporate innovators, Impact 2020. Here’s a look at which organizations made it to the finalists stage…
Article Why Innovation Can’t Happen Without Playfulness
May 13, 2026 | By Scott Kirsner
Innovation can't exist in a culture that doesn't allow for playfulness, says Piera Gelardi, author of the new book The Playful Way. Yet the environment in many workplaces today is shaped by plenty of non-playful dynamics. So what do you do?
Article Is Your Innovation Program (and Your Job) at Risk?
September 12, 2023 | By Scott Kirsner
These are challenging times for teams focused on the future, long-term R&D, and culture change within big organizations. Are there risk factors appearing in your organization that your team and your program could be under scrutiny — or getting the axe? Try this assessment.
Article Bridgers Wanted: A Skillset Companies ‘are Desperate For’
March 12, 2026 | By Scott Kirsner
Innovation at scale requires three different leadership roles, says author Linda Hill: architect, bridger, and catalyst. One is in especially high demand...
Article How Google X Works to Systematize Innovation
November 19, 2025 | By Scott Kirsner
Helen Riley of Google X talks about the organization's mission; several current projects; how they deal with failure; and their efforts to systematize innovation.
Video CarMax CIO on Shocking the System, Engaging the C-Suite, and More
July 25, 2025 | By Scott Kirsner
CarMax's CIO on moving from a project mindset to a product mindset, engaging the C-suite, and empowering teams with clear goals. Video from our 2024 Impact conference.
Article Inside the Innovation Process at LEGO’s Creative Play Lab
December 8, 2025 | By Scott Kirsner
Tom Donaldson, Head of the Creative Play Lab at the LEGO Group, discusses the company's culture; his belief in the importance of prototyping and "silent demos"; and how the company measures innovation.
Article SharkNinja CEO on Launching 25 Products a Year, and Avoiding ‘Innovation Mediocrity’
November 5, 2025 | By Scott Kirsner
SharkNinja CEO Mark Barrocas explains how he fosters innovation at the company — and how they leverage social media as part of their marketing.
Article Is AI a Bubble… or a Massive Opportunity?
December 1, 2025 | By Scott Kirsner
Rana el Kaliouby talks about how she defines human-centric AI; how vibe coding is being used in large organizations; the sci-fi movie "Her"; and her biggest concerns about the AI age.
Article Hollywood Veteran Katzenberg on AI: ‘If Change is Uncomfortable, Irrelevance is Going to be Harder’
June 4, 2025 | By Scott Kirsner
Former DreamWorks and Disney exec Jeffrey Katzenberg discussed the similarities between the arrival of AI technologies in the business world today and the arrival of computer-generated animation technologies in Hollywood in the 1990s.