Chet Kapoor

Jeroen Tas recently said something I loved: "Innovation starts with dreaming." Having an innovative mindset is about imagining what is possible, how you can make an impact and help people. Then work your way backward from the vision to the steps you can take to get there starting today. This perspective helps with self-doubt because it gets you to look outside of yourself toward the potential and impact of innovation.

The biggest mistake companies make is treating diversity like it's a box on a checklist. It is not enough to hire people with diverse backgrounds, skills, and experiences. You have to create an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. 1. Encourage people to speak up. It's okay to disagree with peers and coaches. This is how we get unique perspectives and view problems from all angles. 2. Recognize that everyone shows up differently. Some people may not be the loudest voice in the room, but they have valuable contributions. Follow up via Slack or email to get their PoV. 3. Look in the mirror and ask yourself: How did I show up today? Did I listen actively? Can I identify any implicit or unconscious biases at play?

A few things: 1. Prioritize actions that drive outcomes - not just outputs 2. Identify where you can be impatient (e.g. urgent and important things, like building great products) 3. Focus on Time to Value - this is all about speed and customer obsession

In terms of prioritization, there are balls and there are eggs. The difference ? If you drop a ball, it may bounce or roll – but it won't break. If you drop an egg, it will splatter every time. Impact matters. When you think about your priorities, think of balls and eggs. What are/aren't you willing to drop ?

Feedback can be scary for many people, and it often goes back to their childhood. Maybe they were taught that feedback means failure. Perhaps they were criticized constantly or pressured to strive for perfection. So you have to start by making "feedback" a positive word. It's not about criticism or failure. It's about collaboration, learning, and growth. None of us are perfect - the hardest workers and brightest minds benefit from feedback.

One of the most important work (and life) skills is taking accountability. Encourage people to look in the mirror before placing blame. There are multiple sides to every miscommunication. Try to find the part you played, identify how you can do better, and apologize when you make mistakes.