97% Effective

EP 126 – Rich Braden & Tessa Forshaw, Authors of Innovation-ish: Stuck? How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions

24 Sep 2025

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** Watch our engaging discussion on video, HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffective **Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.comFeeling stuck with a challenge at work, or in advancing your career? In this episode of 97% Effective, we discuss proven, effective ways to creatively solve problems, innovate – and advance. Host Michael Wenderoth interviews Rich Braden and Dr. Tessa Forshaw, authors of Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World. They discuss why your mindset is more important than process, why to aim for “roof-shots” instead of moonshots, and how their book helps ordinary people overcome “innovation hesitation.” By the end of this episode, you’ll not only want to read their book – you’ll leave with a better understanding of the science of how we learn, powerful mental reframes, and practical tips to get unstuck. Rich, a design strategist and the CEO of People Rocket, and Tessa, a cognitive scientist and co-founder of the Next Level Lab at Harvard, have served as design educators for years at Stanford and Harvard, and have helped leading companies and non-profits creatively solve their most vexing challenges to unlock growth.SHOW NOTES:Why Rich and Tessa wrote their book – and chose the word “Innovation-ish”The problem with a “process focus” to innovation“If you’ve ever been to Costco..” (Tessa explains Mindset)How mindsets translate into “Moves”Forward movement in action: The science of why your moves need to be bite-sizedKids vs adults: How adults can tap into their vast experiences to become more creativeMichael’s observations comparing coaching to Rich and Tessa’s work“Explore before Explain” - Why and how Tessa and Rich flipped how they teachTessa on “Learning needs to be effortful”Rich explains “Innovation is not hard. But it is hard work”You’ve got moves inside that are Innovation-ish: How one student used “family system mapping” from her therapist training in powerful new waysYou’ve got insights that will help you navigate power & politics: How Michael’s clients apply their own skillsRoofshots over MoonshotsFramestorming: Are we even looking at the right problem?“Solutions are baked into the frame of the problem” – Tina SeeligTessa’s hard truth: “You can’t stop your biases, but you can set up structures and processes to counteract them”Tessa explains in plain (Aussie) English the $5 word “metacognition”: Thinking about Thinking vs RecountingWhy wore Michael wore airplane cufflinks for this interviewLightning round: Can AI replace human creativity; Biggest influence; Their “go to” technique to get themselves unstuck; Tips on how to make sure your teenage kids stay creative BIO AND LINKS:Dr Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden are the authors of Innovation-ish: How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions to Real Problems in the Real World. Rich is a design strategist and CEO of People Rocket, based in Silicon Valley. Tessa Forshaw, PhD, is a cognitive scientist and co-founder of the Next Level Lab at Harvard University. Both have served as design educators for years at Stanford and Harvard, worked for leading innovation consultances including IDEO and Accenture, and in their private consulting have helped leading companies and non-profits including Coke, Airbnb and the Native American Community Clinic in Minnesota, USA. Their mission is to help everday people untap their creative potential – and become more confident, and innovation-ish.Watch our engaging interview on video: https://www.youtube.com/@97PercentEffectiveInnovation-ish the Book: https://www.innovationish.comRich Braden on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardcoxbraden/Tessa Forshaw on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessaforshaw/People Rocket: https://www.peoplerocket.com“Exploration before Explanation” explained: https://tinyurl.com/5xuwcc8p“Think Roof Shot, Not Moonshot” (an interview with Tessa in Harvard’s Graduate School of Education): https://tinyurl.com/hszp2zvaHow What Got You Here WILL GET YOU THERE (the power of “tapping your past”) - EP #83 on 97% Effective: https://tinyurl.com/2d6np2kuRich’s reference to an interview with Axel Ohrstrom on 97% EFFECTIVE (EP #91: How to Start Your Career Off Right”): https://tinyurl.com/5bweydfh“You’re not even looking at the problem” – most memorable movie moment with Brad Pitt in Moneyball [4 min watch]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krZVcOMTR98The amazing Prof Tina Seelig: https://profiles.stanford.edu/tina-seeligTessa’s a-ha moment: Reading Prof. Roy Pea’s paper on distributed intelligence and designs for education: https://telearn.hal.science/hal-00190571/documentRich’s a-ha moment: BATS Improv https://www.improv.orgMichael’s a-ha moment: Reading Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono (and yes, he lives on!): https://a.co/d/f5qAgxIHow Constraints Move us Forward -- and stimulate creativity (Forbes): https://tinyurl.com/ywap8fzmAntoinette Portis’s delightful book for all of us (not just kids), Not a Box: https://www.antoinetteportis.com/not-a-box/Michael’s Multi-Award-Winning book, Get Promoted: What You’re Really Missing at Work That’s Holding You Back https://tinyurl.com/453txk74Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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3ª PARTE | 17 DIC 2025 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

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97% Effective

EP 126 – Rich Braden & Tessa Forshaw, Authors of Innovation-ish: Stuck? How Anyone Can Create Breakthrough Solutions

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other recent transcribed episodes

3ª PARTE | 17 DIC 2025 | EL PARTIDAZO DE COPE

13:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

12:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

10:00H | 21 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

13:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

12:00H | 20 DIC 2025 | Fin de Semana

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