The ideas explored on this site did not emerge from theory alone. They grew out of years spent building ventures, leading technology teams and working alongside founders trying to move new ideas into the world.

 

Along the way I experienced the same challenges faced by many innovators — raising capital, aligning teams, translating complex technologies and navigating the institutions surrounding new ventures.

 

These experiences gradually revealed a recurring pattern: innovation rarely succeeds because of the idea alone. It succeeds when leaders learn to navigate the complex systems around it.

 

The reflections that follow describe some of the experiences that shaped the thinking behind The Innovators Racecourse™ and the 3A Leadership Architecture explored in The Art & Architecture of Scaling.

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The images below capture some of the environments where these experiences took place — building ventures, presenting ideas, and working with organisations exploring innovation.