In this episode, Vishal challenges a common leadership instinct of saying yes to every good idea and shows how true strategic clarity comes from recognising opportunity cost. Drawing on economic theory and innovation research, we explore why saying no to safe, promising options can free up space for breakthrough initiatives. Vishal walks you through a four-step process all grounded in evidence and designed to help leaders make tough, high-impact choices with confidence.
References:
1) Highlights that choices aren’t free and that most leaders overlook what they forgo by saying “yes”: https://hbr.org/1999/11/the-strategic-power-of-saying-no
2) Tradition and Innovation in Scientists’ Research Strategies: https://arxiv.org/abs/1302.6906
3) Transparency in trade-off decisions builds resilience and trust in teams: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/tag/transparency/
Music Credit: Switch It Up, performed by Silent Partner, from the YouTube Studio Audio Library