This podcast discusses the power of challenging assumptions for breakthroughs, building on the work of Global Strategist Sophie Krantz. The podcast argues that global access to emerging technologies empowers individuals to innovate outside traditional centres of discovery, fostering unexpected breakthroughs and commercial growth.
The podcast uses three examples to illustrate this point:
Laura O’Sullivan, a 16-year-old student from Cork in Ireland, developed an innovative cervical cancer detection system using AI and machine learning.
Jack Andraka, a 15-year-old from Maryland, USA, created a test for pancreatic cancer that was significantly faster, cheaper, and more sensitive than traditional tests.
Wolf Cukier, a 17-year-old intern at NASA, discovered a circumbinary planet while analysing data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite.
These examples demonstrate that breakthroughs are not limited to professional scientists or established institutions. Any workplace can be a playground for non-experts. The podcast emphasizes that hierarchy and history often stifle innovation, with the default reaction to new ideas being "It's impossible!" Leaders often rely on expert advice and past successes, which can suppress the curiosity needed for breakthroughs.
The podcast highlights an article from MIT Sloan School of Management that explores how curiosity and agile project management foster iterative learning and continuous improvement. Professor Steven Eppinger argues that encouraging exploration, valuing questions over answers, and using feedback loops can drive innovation.
The podcast suggests that organizations should rethink their reliance on experts and traditional frameworks. They should seek out individuals from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about their industry's problems and willing to challenge assumptions. The podcast encourages leaders to identify and involve non-expert talent in innovation projects and reverse mentoring programs.
The podcast concludes by urging listeners to expand their worldview and challenge their biases. It poses a series of questions for leaders to consider:
Where do you expect breakthroughs to stem from in 2025?
What possible biases or blind spots exist within your organization?
What barriers prevent challenging the status quo?
How could updating who you know, what you know, and how you work unlock value in 2025?
When you change the way you see the world, you change the way you can shape it.
*Season one of The Global Edge podcast with Sophie Krantz is AI generated. Season two, launching early in 2025, will be hosted by Sophie Krantz.
