Want to practical tips and articles about innovation and invitations to events, webinars and workshops?

Do you trust what you see? At Leandro Erlich’s exhibition at the Grand Palais, I appeared to be climbing a building, yet I was simply lying on the floor. That shift in perspective stayed with me. As AI makes images, words, and voices more convincing, context, curiosity, and human judgment matter more than ever.

What can a scoop of ice cream in Budapest teach us about innovation? More than you might think. From unexpected flavour pairings to familiar desserts reimagined, I was reminded that great ideas do not always begin from scratch. Sometimes innovation happens when we bring together two things that have never met before, creating an experience that feels both recognizable and entirely new.

At Zurich Airport, a small design choice caught my attention: separate lounges for smokers and vapers. It was a reminder that people we casually group together may have very different needs, preferences, and expectations. Meaningful innovation does not always start with breakthrough technology. Sometimes, it begins by looking closer, questioning broad assumptions, and designing with greater precision for the people we serve.

Travel has a way of quietly exposing the assumptions we don’t even realize we carry. From how different countries handle extreme heat to unexpected approaches to energy and customer experience, my recent trip across Europe challenged what I thought was “normal.” It also reminded me how easily we mistake habits for universal truths. If you’re interested in innovation, this perspective shift is where it begins. Read more and see what might be worth rethinking.

Every time I go to the “Ville des Lumières” (City of the Light), Paris, I look for what is new in the air. This time it felt like spring, and there were some fun events. Innovation is always somewhere. Here are a few things I noticed:

I spent the holidays in France for the first time in years, and I was struck by how much innovation is happening in one of the most tradition-bound domains: pastry.

That question came alive during the TED AI panel discussions on day 2 of the conference, where founders, CEOs, and futurists wrestled with what it means to design, lead, and govern in a world of “alien intelligence”, per Manoj Saxena definition.

Yesterday was Day 1 of TEDAI in San Francisco. “Are we bold enough?” is the core question of the conference, and from the 17 talks of that first day, I would say we are bold for sure. Here are a few highlights of day one.

What could standing on stage with strangers, making things up on the spot, possibly teach you about teamwork, innovation and trust?

Walking through Paris, it’s impossible not to notice the rhythm of daily life centered around bakeries. What fascinates me most is not just the abundance, but the innovation: the way tradition coexists with creativity, and how bakeries thrive by adapting.

During my visit to Copenhagen, I explored CopenHill, a unique building that serves as a garbage incinerator while offering public benefits, including the highest climbing wall in Europe (85 meters) and an artificial ski slope, all set against a backdrop of a cafe perfect for enjoying the view.

During my summer trip to Europe, I had the opportunity to take the TGV from Paris to Avignon.

I went to Copenhagen for the first time, and I was surprised by the streets with no cars and everybody using their bike as their mode of transportation.

I am often asked, "What does it take to be a leader when working on innovation projects, and how is it different from other leadership?"

I believe that every team member should conduct ethnographic research once in a while to better understand who is using your products.

Esalen is consider my "happy place" to be resourceful during hard times. I love that it is a mellow, introspective place...

Innovation is not merely about generating ideas; it's a structured journey of creating meaningful change.

Check out these book recommendations for innovative leaders.

I spent ten days this summer attending the Olympic games in Paris and am in awe of the experience.

Recently, I joined host Bill Horan on the Secrets of Success on 90.3 WHPC .