Navigating Innovation

Note to the reader: This is a repost from LinkedIn

After years of leading innovation projects in big tech, here are three critical lessons I’ve learned about navigating the complexity:

1. Patience is required

• “Overnight successes” are typically month or years in the making
• The reality: Quick strategy → slow execution (and that’s okay)
• But more often it’s even: No clear strategy→ big goal, so we’ll need to figure it out along the way!
• Focus on progress over perfection - overthinking kills momentum
• Key is measuring progress differently: track small wins, not just final outcomes
• Keep moving forward incrementally, especially in complex environments
• Build a culture where consistent progress beats endless planning

1. Keeping the team and leadership motivated

• The vision needs constant reinforcement - both up and down the org
• Use clear, memorable messaging to keep goals front-and-center
• Maintain a “brag doc” - it’s not bragging, it’s strategic communication
• Make progress visible and celebrate every milestone, no matter how small
• Connect each team member’s work to the larger mission
• Pro tip: Your internal “marketing” needs to resonate with both your team and leadership - speak both languages (I need to learn to do this better myself!)

1. Navigate Organizational Debt

• Big tech = big organizational debt (it’s inevitable)
• Think of it like tech debt: it compounds from avoided decisions
• Watch for the signs: outdated processes, delayed restructuring, excessive caution
• Don’t waste energy fighting bureaucracy - it exists for a reason
• Instead, focus on maintaining momentum despite the constraints
• Empower your team to spot and solve inefficiencies
• Remember: Anyone at any level can drive progress with the right motivation

Innovation in big tech isn’t just about breakthrough moments - it’s about consistent forward motion and helping your team navigate complexity while staying focused on what truly matters.