{{first_name | default: 'there'}}, Innovation Versus Budget Reality
I had a conversation with a client last week that perfectly captures a challenge many of you are probably facing right now.
His team is supposed to drive innovation. At the same time, his company is cutting costs everywhere. The result? Nobody dares to experiment because mistakes feel too expensive.
"We're stuck," he told me. "How can we innovate when we can't afford to fail?"
Whether you're running a tech startup or you are in the energy industry, the dilemma is the same.
The hard truth is: without psychological safety and the possibility to fail, there is no innovation. This is exactly what I discussed in the Need to Know for CFO webcast recently (link to podcast intro).
Companies that create psychologically safe environments see an 18% increase in employee innovation (Grant Thornton: Psychological safety: underpinning innovation). But here's what hits the bottom line harder: teams with high psychological safety report higher performance AND lower interpersonal conflict (Qualtrics: Psychological Safety in the Workplace).
Translation: Your people perform better AND fight less. While your competitors are stuck in fear-based cultures, you are building the team that actually delivers breakthrough results.
The key is making failure cheap and learning valuable.
If you're feeling this tension in your organization, start with one tiny experiment this week. Something so small that even if it fails completely, nobody will notice the cost—but you'll notice the learning.
The AI Experiment Effect
This idea of starting small with experiments isn't just theory—it's playing out right now with AI adoption.
I recently spoke on a panel about AI readiness, and the data was fascinating. According to research by 100facets.ai, coaches who started experimenting with AI early are 5.6 times more likely to feel confident using it.
But here's the key insight: the people succeeding with AI aren't the most technical—they're the ones who started experimenting first. You can download the full report here.
Three years ago, ChatGPT appeared on our phones. No courses required. No expensive software. Just... try it.
The more you experiment, the more ideas you discover.
What struck me was how this mirrors every major change I've seen. The people who adapt fastest aren't necessarily the techies — they're the ones who say "let's try this" instead of "let's wait and see."
If you haven't started experimenting with AI yet, pick one small task this week. A tech startup founder in my network started by using AI to write follow-up emails after client meetings. Fifteen minutes of setup, and now she saves 2 hours weekly while her response rate increased 40%.
The 3-2-1 AI Rule: 3 minutes to pick a task, 2 attempts maximum, 1 key learning to share with your team.
Don't worry about doing it perfectly. Just start. What is the small task you pick?
When Your Goal Changes Mid-Climb
Sometimes the most important experiments happen when you step away from work entirely.
Last week, I climbed Mt. Ararat—5,137 meters high. Eight INSEAD and IMD friends, from different countries, facing thin air, little sleep, and brutal weather. The Change Republic made it up too, yaay!
I started this climb with a clear goal: reach the summit. But somewhere between Base Camp 1 and the top, something shifted.
The real transformation wasn't about conquering a mountain. It was about stripping away everything that holds me back and reconnecting with what truly matters.
When you're fighting altitude, no sleep, wind and cold, all the daily worries disappear. The fears about making mistakes, the pressure to have perfect answers, the need to appear flawless—none of that survives at 5,000 meters.
What remains is simple: trust, presence, and genuine connection with others.
Often, we think we need more tools or better strategies.
A department leader I coached was burning out trying to control every team decision. Her 'Ararat moment' came when she stopped reviewing every email his team sent to clients. Productivity jumped 25% and team satisfaction soared—because she removed her own fear of losing control. But sometimes the we just need to remove fears and expectations that prevent us from connecting authentically.
As summer approaches, here's a different kind of experiment for you (and for me): instead of adding something new, try removing something that's been holding you back.
You might discover, like I did on that mountain, that your original goal was just the starting point. The real summit is often something completely different—and far more valuable.
Thankfully, the bitter cold and fierce winds fade from memory, and all you remember is the warmth of the sun and those breathtaking views. Check out our Insta reel capturing the best moments.
So, while your competitors wait for certainty, what will you experiment with this summer?
Did you miss our last newsletters?
Inboxes can get a little crazy, right? Just in case you missed them, here are the links to our previous newsletters:
- Newsletter #12: I’m sharing how toxic workplaces can bury your self-trust, why AI might feel safer than human feedback, and how our new AI coach is helping people rebuild clarity and confidence → LINK HERE
- Newsletter #11: I’m sharing why your humanity—not just intelligence—will set you apart in an AI-first world, how co-creating with AI can transform coaching, and what to do when your confidence takes a hit in times of change. → LINK HERE
- Newsletter #10: I’m sharing why trying is your best strategy for change, how experimenting with AI tools helps shape the future, and what happens when leaders let go of ‘perfect’ → LINK HERE
Thanks for reading. Just drop a quick reply if you have any feedback.
Wishing you a great weekend ahead.
Warm regards,
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