CONTENTS

Part 1

START WITH AN EXIT STRATEGY

1. PREPARE FOR FAILURE

The One Thing Leadership Gurus Will Never Tell You

2. UNCONSCIOUS COMPETENTS

Why You Shouldn’t Trust Everything Innovators Tell You about Innovation

3. IT’S ALL BETWEEN THE EARS

How to Recognize a Serial Innovator

4. EXIT STRATEGIES

Why Your Exit Strategy Is Just as Important as Your Game Plan

Part 2

IGNITING INNOVATION

5. BEYOND AVANT-GARDE

If It Doesn’t Make a Difference, It’s Not an Innovation

6. INNOVATION’S MOST POWERFUL IGNITERS

Why Your Biggest Problems May Be Your Greatest Blessings

Part 3

ACCELERATING INNOVATION

7. WHY MISSION STATEMENTS MATTER

How Clarity Accelerates Innovation

8. A BIAS FOR ACTION

Why Data and Proof Are Overrated

9. A RESPECTED CHAMPION

The Difference a John the Baptist Makes

10. PLANNING IN PENCIL

Letting an Innovation Be What It Wants to Be

Part 4

SABOTAGING INNOVATION

11. THE HIGH PRICE OF FAILURE

Why Trust and Credibility Are Too Important to Lose

12. GROUPTHINK

Why You Shouldn’t Care What Everybody Else Thinks

13. SURVEYS

Why They’re a Waste of Time

14. PAST SUCCESSES

How Yesterday’s Success Sabotages Tomorrow’s Innovation

Part 5

BREAKOUT DECISIONS

15. WHEN YOU’VE HIT THE WALL

Breaking Through Barriers of Competency and Complexity

16. BREAKING THROUGH

The Need for New Advisors

17. CHANGING THE RULES

Removing Unrealistic Expectations

18. CHANGING TRADITIONS

Removing Unhealthy Structures

Part 6

WHY VISION MATTERS

19. THE POLAROID PRINCIPLE

How Vision Works

20. CREATING AND SUSTAINING VISION

The Leader’s Role

Part 7

LEAVING A LEADERSHIP LEGACY

21. IT’S NOT ABOUT US

Leaving a Legacy of Change and Innovation

Acknowledgments

Notes