Manu Kapur: The Science of Productive Failure & The Four A’s of Learning
In this episode of The Innovation Show, Aidan McCullen welcomes back Manu Kapur, author of Productive Failure, to explore the science of learning through failure. We uncover the Basic Knowledge Fallacy, debate Direct Instruction vs. Discovery Learning, and introduce the Four A’s of Learning (Activation, Awareness, Affect, Assembly). Manu also explains why variability, struggle, and pretesting drive deeper learning, adaptability, and long-term success. Whether you’re an educator, business leader, coach, or lifelong learner, this conversation will transform the way you think about learning and growth. ⏱️ Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:33 – Welcoming the Guest: Manu Kapur 01:01 – Understanding the Basic Knowledge Fallacy 05:07 – Direct Instruction vs. Discovery Learning 08:08 – The Science Behind Productive Failure 14:01 – The Importance of Variability in Learning 21:14 – Pretesting and the Role of Struggle in Learning 26:43 – Final Thoughts and Cognitive Reflection Test 🔑 Key Takeaways: Why the path to learning is as important as the knowledge itself The strengths and limits of direct instruction and discovery learning How the Four A’s of Productive Failure create lasting understanding Why variability and desirable difficulties improve adaptability How struggle, pretesting, and impasses unlock deeper insights 📘 Resources: 📺 Watch more episodes of The Innovation Show: The Innovation Show on YouTube 🌐 Learn more about Manu Kapur: www.manukapur.com 📘 Get Manu’s book Productive Failure: https://amzn.to/3KrdV1Q
--------
28:37
--------
28:37
Why Failure Fuels Success with Manu Kapur | The Power of Productive Failure
What if failure wasn’t the end, but the beginning of real growth? In this episode, Aidan McCullen sits down with Manu Kapur, author of Productive Failure, to explore how struggle, setbacks, and mistakes can actually unlock deep learning, creativity, and adaptability. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why productive failure is the secret to lifelong learning How to turn mistakes into powerful growth mindset strategies Why even “good lectures” don’t always create deep understanding How leaders and innovators can use failure to adapt in a changing world The psychology of resilience, success, and transformation Find Manu Kapur: https://www.manukapur.com From a soccer career cut short by injury to becoming a global thought leader in education innovation, Manu shares stories and research that challenge how we think about failure. Whether you’re a teacher, leader, parent, or entrepreneur, this conversation will help you embrace failure as a pathway to success.
--------
1:17:04
--------
1:17:04
Bee Wise 12 Leadership Lessons from a Busy Beehive with Philip Atkinson
What can bees teach us about leadership, teamwork, and innovation? 🐝 In this episode, Philip Atkinson — organizational coach, beekeeper, and author of Bee Wise: 12 Leadership Lessons from a Busy Beehive — shares powerful insights from the hive that apply directly to modern workplaces. We explore: Why the queen bee is not really the leader of the hive How the waggle dance is a perfect metaphor for communication Why bees switch jobs throughout their lives and what that means for career growth How swarms make better decisions by consensus The importance of diversity, innovation, and collaboration in thriving organizations 📖 Learn more about Philip’s work and book: beewisebook.com 🌐 Company site: hive-logic.com 📲 Socials: Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn → @BeeWiseBook 👤 Connect with Philip on LinkedIn: PhilipAtkinsonHiveLogic ✨ All proceeds from Bee Wise support Bees for Development, a charity helping families worldwide build sustainable livelihoods through beekeeping.
--------
57:41
--------
57:41
Sangeet Paul Choudary - Reshuffle: Figma Adobe and Just about Everything
What happens when startups like Figma outpace industry giants like Adobe? In this episode of The Innovation Show, Aidan McCullen sits down with bestselling author Sangeet Paul Choudary (Platform Revolution, Reshuffle) to explore how AI, cloud technology, and mindset shifts are reshaping the future of work, design, and competition. Discover why incumbents often fail—not from lack of innovation, but from failing to unlearn old architectures. Using the case of Figma vs. Adobe, we unpack how element-based design, governance-led workflows, and AI-first thinkingare redefining industries from design to law to construction. Key takeaways: Why adapting mindsets matters more than adopting tools How AI is unbundling knowledge work and rewriting career paths The importance of governance in enterprise-wide collaboration Why the forgetting curve is as critical as the learning curve Perfect for innovators, leaders, and professionals navigating the knowledge economy, this episode is a roadmap for thriving in a world of structural uncertainty where AI and cloud-native startups are rewriting the rules. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:17 The Hammer and the Nail: Misreading New Technology 00:28 Adobe vs. Figma: A Case Study in Innovation 01:03 The Importance of Mindset in Technological Shifts 01:20 Guest Introduction: Sanjeet Paul Choudary 01:49 Figma vs. Adobe: A Deep Dive 04:07 Technological Shifts and Organizational Change 05:57 The Impact of AI on Work and Careers 17:00 Governance vs. Execution in Modern Enterprises 18:22 The Future of Competition and Industry Structure 21:40 The Need for Unlearning in the Age of AI 24:34 Preparing for the Future: Skills and Careers 36:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 38:05 Closing Remarks and Sponsor Message 📚 Resources & Links • Reshuffle: Who Wins When AI Reshapes the Knowledge Economy → https://amzn.to/3HWwj1I • Platform Revolution → https://amzn.to/4mBq2aQ • Sangeet’s Substack → https://substack.com/@platforms/posts • Aidan’s show notes → https://thethursdaythought.substack.com 🎙️ Listen now to learn how to reshuffle your thinking, your organization, and your career for the AI-driven future.
--------
38:34
--------
38:34
Joe Bower and Clark Gilbert - From Resource Allocation To Strategy
What if everything you knew about strategy was wrong? In this profound and candid episode, legendary Harvard Business School professors Joseph Bower and Clark Gilbertdismantle the myths of top-down strategy and reveal what actually drives innovation inside organizations — resource allocation. Hosted by Aidan McCullen, this conversation connects over 50 years of organizational research with real-world disruption—from Clay Christensen’s disruptive innovation, to Intel’s strategic shifts, to why academic institutions resist change. 🔥 You’ll learn: Why strategy emerges from internal decisions—not just executive planning The role of middle management and customer capture in strategic failure How organizations can manage dual transformation The secret behind Harvard’s innovation blind spots Advice for innovators, executives, and scholars navigating complex systems This is not your typical leadership podcast. It’s a masterclass in innovation thinking, organizational change, and deep system insights — directly from the architects of the field. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:21 Introducing the Guests: Clark Gilbert and Joe Bower 01:02 Clark Takes Over as Host 01:33 The Connection Between Resource Allocation and Strategy 05:26 Challenges in Strategy Implementation 09:03 Case Studies and Real-World Examples 11:11 Issues in Academic Research 19:48 The Harvard Business School Case 28:10 The Teradyne Case Study 32:41 Elon Musk's Unique Management Style 35:21 The Power of Structural Context in Education 37:50 The Concept of Undermining in Business 39:23 Managing Cognitive Framing in a Changing World 44:06 The Importance of Deep Industry Knowledge 49:16 Advice for Future Scholars 55:56 Final Reflections and Gratitude 📚 Resources and People Mentioned: Book: From Resource Allocation to Strategy – by Bower, Gilbert & others Dual Transformation – by Clark Gilbert & Scott D. Anthony The Innovator’s Dilemma – by Clayton Christensen Case Studies: Intel, Teradyne, Kodak, Harvard Business School 💡 Featured Thinkers Mentioned: Clayton Christensen – Disruptive innovation pioneer, HBS Tom Eisenmann – Strategy & entrepreneurship expert, HBS Donald Sull – Former HBS faculty, expert on execution and volatility Yves Doz – INSEAD professor, known for multinational innovation research Howard Yu – IMD professor; explored tech disruption in Asia Tomo Noda – Japanese academic and innovator in business education reform Robert Burgelman - MIT professor and prolific author
A Global weekly show interviewing authors to inspire, educate and inform the business world and the curious. Presented by the author of "Undisruptable", this Global show speaks of something greater beyond innovation, disruption and technology. It speaks to the human need to learn: how to adapt to and love a changing world. It embraces the spirit of constant change, of staying receptive, of always learning.
South Africa