Shows
Experience Leadership - The Small Business PodcastHow to Stop Chasing Change and Start Leading It with Stephen ShapiroHow to Lead Through Uncertainty with Confidence
with Stephen Shapiro
Are you chasing change like a caffeinated squirrel during nut season?
Let’s face it—most business leaders are stuck in "reactive mode." A new trend? Pivot. A new competitor? Pivot. A new TikTok dance? You guessed it—pivot.
But what if all this flailing is what’s actually breaking your business?
In this episode, Innovation Instigator Stephen Shapiro joins me to expose the costly reality behind knee-jerk strategy: wasted resources, exhausted teams, and growth that looks more like a rollercoaster than a roadmap.
2025-11-1047 min
Leanne on Demand Daily with Leanne Hughes🌴144. Innovate to stay alive feat. Stephen Shapiro (Weekend Rewind)Hey! Thanks for tuning in to this weekend’s rewind. This conversation was recorded a few years ago, but wow—has it aged well. Today’s guest is the brilliant Stephen Shapiro, an innovation expert who's spent decades helping organisations grow by asking better questions and solving the right problems.Stephen shares how he went from optimising processes (aka, shrinking companies) at Accenture to building one of their fastest-growing innovation practices—scaling from 0 to 20,000 people in nine months. 🔥We dive into:Why innovation isn’t about ideas—and what it’s really about insteadHow companies misuse...
2025-05-2331 min
The School of Reinvention59: Pivoting with Purpose: How to Navigate Career Shifts with Intention (w/ Stephen Shapiro)SummaryIn this conversation, Roger Osorio speaks with Stephen Shapiro about his journey from a consultant at Accenture to a leading expert in innovation and speaking. They discuss the evolution of Shapiro's career, the importance of publishing and selling books, and how to define value in speaking engagements. Shapiro shares insights on building innovation communities, the role of professional associations, and the concept of stability in an uncertain world as presented in his book 'Pivotal'. The conversation emphasizes the importance of meandering with purpose and connecting diverse experiences to foster creativity and innovation.
2025-01-0826 min
Profitable Home Services PodcastStop Pivoting: Use These Strategies To Create Business StabilityThere have been a lot of external changes lately that have affected your business haven't there? When covid struck you likely found a way to pivot your business. Then inflation came. Then there were supply chain issues. Each time did you try to pivot? It's exhausting and can leave you confused on what truly makes you stand out from your competition and create business stability. And if you're confused, your customer is definitely confused. In this episode, business strategy expert Stephen Shapiro shares powerful business principles from his new book "Pivotal". He...
2024-10-0739 min
Changemaker MindsetHow Stephen Shapiro Turned Away From Downsizing And Started Helping Companies GrowHow Stephen Shapiro Turned Away From Downsizing And Started Helping Companies GrowStephen Shapiro was a superstar. With an Ivy League degree and a hot job at a big consulting form, he spent most days jet-setting around the world, re-engineering business processes to help firms become more productive and efficient. He liked the work, and he was good at it. Then one day a news story changed his path. A project he had worked on had resulted in 10,000 layoffs and there, on the TV, he saw first-hand how the executives' lives were still s...
2024-07-2933 min
Free Time with Jenny BlakeRunning a Goal-Free Business with Stephen ShapiroStephen Shapiro is a quintessential Free Timer. Throughout his 20+ year self-employment tenure, he has run a variety of experiments to optimize for freedom and joy. To name just a few: working one hour a day (for years!), clearing space for 15 weeks of travel and/or vacation each year, and week-long hotel stays for focused work sprints. We also talk about the “existential meltdown” that led to a business model redesign, and why he doesn’t need or want to build a team right now, beyond an extended network of specialists, and why he’d rather sell 10 copies of his ne...
2023-03-0746 min
My Wakeup Call with Dr. Mark GoulstonEp 426 - Stephen ShapiroIn this episode I speak with Stephen Shapiro, international speaker on innovation, creator of the innovation practice at Accenture and author of, "Invisible Solutions,," and saxophonist whose wakeup call was realizing his love for performing and focusing on giving his audiences what they want and need to make their lives better. https://stephenshapiro.com/
2022-11-2441 min
Personality Poker®E35: Want What You HaveTo celebrate Thanksgiving here in the United States, I decided to share this segment from my book, Goal-Free Living. Chapter 4 is entitled, "Want What You Have." Instead of looking for more and creating a different future, appreciate what you have now.Before we get to the podcast, I want to share two items:My "Purple Monday" sale - $50 off the Personality Poker® Starter Kit and a free copy of Best Practices are Stupid if you buy a copy of Invisible Solutions. Sale ends December 3rd. Learn more here: https://stephenshapiro.com/purple-monday/The launch of my ne...
2021-11-2915 min
Technically SpeakingDon't Pivot. Divot. The Lessons You Need In Innovation.In today's episode, we're chatting with Stephen Shapiro about innovation and how it applies to not only full-blown organizations but also expert-based businesses. Innovation at its core is all about a cultural change and asking yourself the right questions. Stephen shares with us his lessons, trials, and triumphs navigating the world of an expert, sheds light on his business model, and shares how his 25 lenses can help smoke out the simplest, innovative ideas that lead to the largest results. If you're looking to go deeper in your business and with your clients while...
2021-06-0828 min
Speak Your Way To Cash98: Creating a Deep Impact on Your Audience and Clients with Stephen ShapiroIn this episode Ashley speaks to Stephen Shapiro, author of “Invisible Solutions: 25 lenses that Reframe and Help solve Difficult Business Problems” and 4 books more. He focuses on transforming the way businesses like 3M, P&G, Marriott, Nike, and Microsoft improve innovation practices through customized keynote speeches, advisory engagements and other services. Passionate and captivating, Stephen’s high-energy approach to innovation gets audiences out of their seats and into new ways of thinking about their business challenges. Stephen served a six-year term on the Board of Directors of National Speakers Association (NSA) and is the recipient of the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) d...
2021-04-1932 min
The Unmistakable Creative PodcastStephen Shapiro | The Surprising Power of Goal Free LivingFrom a young age, we're all taught that setting and achieving goals is the way to live a happy and fulfilling life. Stephen Shapiro says that this stops us from enjoying life right now, only to later discover that our achievements rarely create lasting fulfillment. How can you ditch your goals and enjoy life where you are while still being successful and pursuing your passions? Take a listen to find out.Stephen Shapiro is the author of multiple books including Goal-Free Living: How to Have the Life You Want NOW!
2021-03-2253 min
Personality Poker®E6: Goal-Free LivingIn this episode we discuss the Performance Paradox (Lens #18 in Invisible Solutions) and Goal-Free Living.The Performance Paradox is based on the perspective that the more you focus on a goal, the less likely you are to achieve that goal.This lens is based on an earlier book of mine called, Goal-Free Living. It is not about living without goals, but rather changing your relationship to goals. It is the approach we use to tackle the problem: How can we move forward when the future is uncertain?"The essence of Goal-Free Living is "...
2020-12-0116 min
Pivot with Jenny BlakeStay Relevant and Solve Difficult Problems with Stephen Shapiro(Originally released May 2020) Why are so many of us allergic to the word innovation, solving the wrong problems, and experiencing idea-fatigue? Because, as Stephen Shapiro brilliantly shares in his book, Invisible Solutions: 25 Lenses that Reframe and Help Solve Difficult Business Problems, what we’re really aiming for is relevance. How can you apply the 5D’s of disruption to solve difficult problems? We dive into that and so much more during this conversation—one I can’t wait to listen back to at least twice more to absorb all the powerful pivot-related concepts! I’ll tell you one thing...
2020-11-2600 min
The Transformative Leader Podcast: Culture Transformation | Corporate CoachingTTLP 098 : "Driving Innovation Through Better Questions" - An Interview with Stephen ShapiroAmir talks with speaker, author, and advisor, Stephen Shapiro, about different ways we can proactively approach innovation by asking better questions to find “invisible” solutions to seemingly unsolvable problems. For more: theghannadgroup.com/blog/ttlpodcast-098Guest LinksWebsite: stephenshapiro.com/Book(s): stephenshapiro.com/books/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shapiroinnovatesFacebook: facebook.com/ShapiroinnovatesTwitter: twitter.com/stephenshapiroYouTube: youtube.com/user/247innovation——————————The Transformative LeaderWebsite: theghannadgroup.com/Buy the book: theghannadgroup.com/store/the-transformative-leaderCulture Transformation Guide (FREE): theghannadgroup.com/culture-ebookLinkedIn: www.linkedi...
2020-09-0730 min
All Business with Jeffrey HayzlettMoving F.A.S.T. Into the Unknown with Stephen Shapiro and Allison Arden"Get Back to Work” week continues on All Business with Jeffrey Hayzlett with two guests focusing on different ways companies should focus on getting ready to get back to business.First, we hop into the F.A.S.T. lane with innovation expert Stephen Shapiro. It used to be that innovation was all about creating products, now it’s all about solving problems. COVID-19 is showing businesses there are a lot of questions out there and creative answers are needed to solve problems. Both Stephen and Jeffrey use F.A.S.T. as an adap...
2020-05-0547 min
Work From The Inside Out69: To Innovate: Don’t Pivot, Divot with Stephen ShapiroStephen Shapiro is the author of the new book “Invisible Solutions: 25 Lenses that Reframe and Help Solve Difficult Business Problems”. For over 20 years, Stephen has presented his provocative strategies on innovation to audiences in 50 countries. During his 15 year tenure with the consulting firm, Accenture, he led a 20,000 person innovation practice. He is the author of six books, and the creator of “Personality Poker: The Playing Card Tool for Driving High-Performance Teamwork and Innovation”, a card game that has been used around the world to create high performing innovation teams. In 2015, he was inducted into the speaker Hall of Fame. In 2017...
2020-04-0841 min
The Innovation ShowInvisible Solutions: 25 Lenses that Reframe & Help Solve Difficult Problems with Stephen ShapiroUnprecedented access to infinite solutions has led us to realise that having all of the answers is not the answer.
From innovation teams to creativity experts to crowdsourcing, we've turned from one source to another, spending endless cycles pursuing piecemeal solutions to each challenge we face.
What if your organisation had an effective and systematic approach to deal with any problem?
To find better solutions, you need to first ask better questions. The questions you ask determine which solutions you'll see and which will remain hidden.
More about Stephen here: https://stephenshapiro.com/invisible-solutions/
2020-03-1958 minThe Innovation ShowInvisible Solutions: 25 Lenses that Reframe & Help Solve Difficult Problems with Stephen ShapiroUnprecedented access to infinite solutions has led us to realise that having all of the answers is not the answer.
From innovation teams to creativity experts to crowdsourcing, we've turned from one source to another, spending endless cycles pursuing piecemeal solutions to each challenge we face.
What if your organisation had an effective and systematic approach to deal with any problem?
To find better solutions, you need to first ask better questions. The questions you ask determine which solutions you'll see and which will remain hidden.
More about Stephen here: https://stephenshapiro.com/invisible-solutions/
2020-03-1958 min
The Innovation ShowInvisible Solutions: 25 Lenses that Reframe and Help Solve Difficult Business Problems with Stephen ShapiroUnprecedented access to infinite solutions has led us to realise that having all the answers is not the answer. From innovation teams to creativity experts to crowdsourcing, we've turned from one source to another, spending endless cycles pursuing piecemeal solutions to each challenge we face. What if your organisation had an effective and systematic approach to deal with any problem? To find better solutions, you need to first ask better questions. The questions you ask determine which solutions you'll see and which will remain hidden. More about Stephen here: https://stephenshapiro...
2020-03-1958 min
The Stuart Knight ShowA Powerful Conversation With Stephen ShapiroStephen Shapiro cultivates innovation by showing leaders and their teams how to approach, tackle and solve their business challenges. Applying the knowledge he has accrued over decades in the industry, Stephen is able to see what others can’t: opportunities to improve innovation models and the cultures that support them. http://stephenshapiro.com/ Twitter: @stephenshapiro
2020-03-0554 min
You Gotta Meet!A Powerful Conversation With Stephen ShapiroStephen Shapiro cultivates innovation by showing leaders and their teams how to approach, tackle and solve their business challenges. Applying the knowledge he has accrued over decades in the industry, Stephen is able to see what others can’t: opportunities to improve innovation models and the cultures that support them. http://stephenshapiro.com/ Twitter: @stephenshapiro
2020-03-0554 min
Feisworld Podcast240. Stephen Shapiro on Invisible Solutions and Creative Entrepreneurship (**)Show notes, tools and resources: www.feisworld.com/blog/stephen-shapiro-invisible-solutions
Stephen Shapiro was one of the first guests to appear on Feisworld Podcast in 2014. Today, we are excited to bring him back to the show to talk about his brand new book released on March 3rd, 2020 called: Invisible Solutions: 25 Lenses that Reframe and Help Solve Difficult Business Problems.
The book will help you:
Discover why we are hardwired to ask ineffective questions and learn to work through those barriers.
Understand the power and importance of well-defined questions.
Reframe any p...
2020-03-0351 min
ConveYour: On Learning & Development#003 - On Innovation (w/Stephen Shapiro)Episode #003 - On Innovation (w/Stephen Shapiro)
Introduction
Question 1 - Why innovation? | Answer 1 - The enemy of innovation
Question 2 - What are the winning/losing behaviors of innovation? | Answer 2 - The fundamental shift in thinking about innovation
Question 3 - What is the default behavior for non-innovation? | Answer 3 - Brainstorming
Question 4 - What is the innovation “Promise Land”? | Answer 4 - Challenge-Centered Innovation
Question 5 - Is there a change in the politics of innovation? | Answer 5 - Yes & No
Question 6 - What’s a counterintuitive thing to innovation that companies are doing? | “Think outside the box”
Three Levels of Innovation
Flipping Learning on...
2020-02-1431 min
Human With ResourcesStephen Shapiro, From Nerd to InnovatorStephen Shapiro started his innovation work over 20 years ago while leading a 20,000-person practice at the consulting firm, Accenture. Since then he has written five books, including “Best Practices Are Stupid," which was named the best innovation and creativity book of the year, and his sixth book will be published early 2020. Stephen has presented at conferences in 50 countries and in 2015 he was inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame.About Inusual:Inusual is building a corporate innovation school to help people and organizations become extraordinaryInusual is growing a professional community of innovative leadersInusual is serving organizations to...
2019-10-0126 min
The Redefining High Performance Podcast with Ty BennettHow To Be Relevant Through Innovation with Stephen ShapiroSteve Jobs said that innovation is what differentiates leaders from followers, but Stephen Shapiro says innovation is all about being relevant. That's why he's my guest on The Relevant Leadership Podcast. Stephen helps us understand what innovation is, how it works, the process you need to take and how you can be more innovative. Find out more about Stephen and his upcoming book, Invisible Solutions, at https://stephenshapiro.com/
2019-08-1320 min
The Art of Passive IncomeTrue Innovation Done The Right WayIn today’s episode of The Art of Passive Income, Mark and Scott talk with Stephen Shapiro—StephenShapiro.com. Stephen is a big deal. He is in the business of company innovation and helps companies like 3M, Proctor and Gamble, Nike, and Marriott improve their innovation practices. Stephen is also the author of four books and has spoken to audiences in 50 different countries. Before Stephen became an expert in innovation and helping companies grow he was working at the opposite end of the spectrum in business optimization, which meant he was helping companies shrin...
2018-10-2536 min
YOUR FIRST 100K: Marketing Secrets For Christian Entrepreneurs ™Best-selling Author, Hall of Fame Speaker & Innovation Consultant, Stephen Shapiro, Author of "Best Practices Are Stupid" & "Personality Poker"| Chats with 10X Failed Entrepreneur Joseph WarrenOn this episode, Joseph Warren chats with courageous entrepreneur, Stephen Shapiro about how he struggled to make his first $100,000 while building his business. Learn More: www.StephenShapiro.com Get More: www.First100K.com Become A Patron of The Show!! Get Patron-Only Rewards
2018-05-3136 min
The Innovation Engine Podcast41. Breakthrough Thinking, with Stephen ShapiroWe look at innovation and breakthrough thinking on this week's episode of the podcast. We'll talk four great ways to make breakthroughs when you find yourself stuck in neutral, why "expertise is the enemy of innovation," and what we can all learn from the thought process of magicians when it comes to innovation. Stephen Shapiro joins us to discuss those topics and more. Stephen is a best-selling author and keynote speaker who has worked with companies like 3M, Procter & Gamble, Marriott, Nike, and Microsoft to improve their innovation practices. His fifth and most recent book is titled B...
2014-11-2131 minThe Innovation Engine Podcast41. Breakthrough Thinking, with Stephen ShapiroWe look at innovation and breakthrough thinking on this week's episode of the podcast. We'll talk four great ways to make breakthroughs when you find yourself stuck in neutral, why "expertise is the enemy of innovation," and what we can all learn from the thought process of magicians when it comes to innovation. Stephen Shapiro joins us to discuss those topics and more. Stephen is a best-selling author and keynote speaker who has worked with companies like 3M, Procter & Gamble, Marriott, Nike, and Microsoft to improve their innovation practices. His fifth and most recent book is titled B...
2014-11-2131 min