We say “fail fast”—but do we actually know how to process failure. Most startups don’t. They move on, cover up, or silently spiral. That’s why I built a simple, practical framework to help teams reflect on what went wrong—and rewrite the story. I was inspired by narrative therapy when I created this framework. Read the article to find out more and its practical application (I included a case study on failed beauty giant Glossier).

Mistakes can keep you stuck or propel you forward, depending on how you frame them. Perceiving errors in a positive light was the focus of a MasterClass I recently held at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival, United Arab Emirates. Together with my co-facilitator, we illustrated to founders and future founders how to turn setbacks into learning opportunities. Why does it matter? Learning from failure and experiencing are strongly correlated, both spurring innovation.

In a voluntary organizational redesign project, how do you turn a vague directive like “let the working groups figure it out” into a structured process that delivers real results? In this case study, my colleague and I share how we created a framework, tools, and templates to guide the next phase of the redesign. By tapping into the expertise of internal teams, we transformed abstract ideas into actionable outcomes—and ensured employees were fully invested in the change.

What stories do you tell yourself—and what narratives does your organization adhere to? In 2016, I completed a self-authoring suite to better understand my past, present, and future. The process made me confront and reframe limiting narratives. Organizations, much like individuals, face similar challenges when recovering from crises. Drawing on my journey and case studies from Volkswagen, Nike, and Aramex, this article explores how to change the narrative.

How did French COO Carlos Ghosn transform a struggling Nissan into one of the most profitable carmakers in the world in 1999? he tapped into his abilities to empower others and to succinctly navigate an Asian “closed” culture. Discover the magic of cross-cultural leadership, where a French 'Wizard COO' unlocked the potential of Japanese middle managers to drive one of the most remarkable corporate turnarounds in history.

While riding the Dubai Metro, I found myself decompressing in the pink cabins reserved for women and children—a small but meaningful safe space amidst the city's hustle. This made me reflect on safe spaces in organizations. By fostering trust, open communication, and a culture where learning from failure is celebrated, leaders can create environments that empower their teams to innovate and grow sustainably.

In a company-wide cost-cutting and operational excellence program, I discovered an approach that turns cost-cutting into an empowering exercise. By shifting to a ‘cost-to-achieve’ mindset, we enabled managers to see cost savings as opportunities for strategic investment. This approach allowed them to take charge, creating solutions aligned with both savings and long-term goals.

I discuss how embracing "mini-c" creativity—the small, personal acts of experimentation—can spark innovation within organizations. Examples are: Google’s 20% time policy, Safaricomm M-PESA, or posts-it’s created by 3M. Bonus: A checklist for senior managers to entice employees to experiment and get creative.

Do you face the double challenge of leading both a transformation and an international expansion? I have a solution for you. The key to success lies in measuring the "right" KPIs—where operational efficiency, revenue growth, and employee engagement converge. Discover which combination of KPIs drive progress.

In the rush of leading large-scale transformations, it's easy to overlook the power of collaboration. By revisiting insights from classic management thinkers, we can unlock key strategies—leveraging partnerships for innovation, speed, and competitive advantage. Sometimes, turning to "old" wisdom is exactly what modern transformations need.

At GEA in Germany, the combination of top-down strategic imperatives, internal AI ambassadors, and a decentralized decision-making approach has led to widespread AI adoption, demonstrating a practical model for leveraging AI to enhance productivity and competitiveness.

Creating your own cultural assessment framework might sound daunting, but it's a practical and effective way to understand your organization's culture. By using a mix of qualitative tools, such as interviews, and tried-and-tested tools available on the analytics market, such as Culture Amp's tools or the Qualtrics survey platform, you can gather comprehensive data.