How do you solve the world's toughest problems? Or find the next big thing in tech? Lots of organizations fail to explore and take big bets on new ideas because they can't tolerate the mess of experimentation and the fear of failure. At X, Alphabet's dedicated innovation factory, they don't have that problem, and Astro Teller, Captain of Moonshots at X, can ... Show More
Yesterday
Purpose-Driven Leadership in an Era of Polarization
Even in difficult times, leadership must be about empathy, authenticity, fairness and service. That's according to Darren Walker, the outgoing CEO of the Ford Foundation, a nonprofit with an endowment of billions of dollars and a charge to reduce poverty and injustice. Drawing on ... Show More
31m 15s
Nov 2023
NASA’s Former Head of Science on What It Takes to Manage Complex, High-Risk Projects
As the head of science at NASA, Thomas Zurbuchen managed an $8.6 billion dollar budget. A typical Monday, for him, might have involved hitting an asteroid with a space craft or trying to launch a rocket. Zurbuchen left that role in 2022, but he’s still the longest continually ser ... Show More
31m 9s
Aug 2023
Summer School 5: Tech and the innovator's dilemma
For anyone running a business, technology is both threat and opportunity. Today, we run through techniques entrepreneurs can use to take advantage of new tech or defend against the dangers. It's not just about the product you're selling. It's about consumer psychology, and ethics ... Show More
34m 13s
Oct 2022
70. Ideas Fuel Innovation: Why Your First Ideas Aren’t Always the Best
<p>What’s the secret to coming up with good ideas? For <a href="https://www.fastersmarter.io/guests/jeremy-utley/">Jeremy Utley</a>, it’s about generating as many as possible. </p><p>The director of executive education at the Stanford d.school, Utley says, “very few problems we f ... Show More
25m 19s
Sep 2021
How setbacks create momentum w/ Robert Reffkin, Compass founder and CEO
<p>As dangerous as obstacles and setbacks may appear, they can also present opportunities. Robert Reffkin, founder and CEO of the real estate platform, Compass, knows this well. He’s a perfect example of how to use challenges to generate a fresh burst of energy. Reffkin explains ... Show More
30m 48s
Jan 2024
Rapid Response: What’s wrong with the remote vs. in-office debate? w/Atlassian co-CEO Scott Farquhar
<p>The backlash against remote work is in full swing, with 90% of CEOs reportedly rewarding in-office workers with more promotions and raises. But to Scott Farquhar, co-CEO of Atlassian, that’s a big mistake — and in a just-released study, he’s got hard numbers to back him up. Sc ... Show More
28m 16s