Innovation & Disruption Strategy
Disruption is not a threat to fear—it’s a force to harness. Organisations that lead through innovation consistently redefine their markets, outpace competitors, and unlock new sources of growth. But to do so, they must balance visionary thinking with disciplined execution.
This Insight Pathway explores how disruption happens, what makes innovation succeed, and how to lead transformative change in dynamic environments.
Included Summaries
-
The Innovator’s Dilemma – Clayton Christensen (why great companies fail to innovate)
Christensen’s classic reveals how industry leaders are often blindsided by disruptive innovations because they listen too closely to their best customers—and avoid risky bets. -
Loonshots – Safi Bahcall (how to nurture crazy ideas that win)
Bahcall introduces the idea of “phase transitions” in organisations and shows how nurturing unconventional ideas requires different structures from those that scale existing ones. -
Play Bigger – Al Ramadan et al. (category design as a strategic tool)
This book helps innovators go beyond products to define and dominate entirely new markets—by creating new demand curves and anchoring perception. -
Zero to One – Peter Thiel (building singular innovations)
Thiel argues that true innovation creates something entirely new (“0 to 1”), rather than iterating incrementally. A contrarian view on startups, monopoly, and technology-led advantage. -
The Future is Faster Than You Think – Peter Diamandis & Steven Kotler (technology convergence and acceleration)
Explores how exponential technologies—AI, biotech, robotics—are converging to accelerate change and disrupt industries faster than traditional strategies can keep up.
Reflection & Application
Innovation isn’t magic—it’s method. These books offer both a mindset and a roadmap for leading when the rules of the game are being rewritten.
Key Takeaways:
- The Innovator’s Dilemma shows why incumbents often miss the next wave.
- Loonshots highlights the structural changes required to incubate breakthrough ideas.
- Play Bigger reframes innovation around category creation.
- Zero to One challenges leaders to build something truly unprecedented.
- The Future is Faster reminds us that exponential change requires exponential thinking.
Applying the Insights
To lead innovation and disruption:
- Identify “crazy ideas” in your organisation and shield them structurally from standard KPIs.
- Run a category design workshop to frame and name your space, not just your product.
- Map disruptive threats to your industry and assess how your org would respond.
- Invest in moonshot initiatives that could reshape your future, even if uncertain.
- Update your strategic planning to account for accelerating change cycles.
Innovation is the art of seeing the inevitable before it’s obvious—and acting on it with courage. Let this pathway help you do just that.
“Disruptive innovation is not a breakthrough improvement. It’s a game changer.” – Clayton Christensen