Outthinker Networks

When you're building a strategy for driving change, you need more than just great ideas. Meet Shannon Wallis, our upcoming guest expert in the Outthinker Accelerators Network. As the first person to lead Global High Potential Leadership Development at Microsoft, Shannon Wallis knows exactly what it takes to navigate complex organizations. She has helped executives at Amazon, Coca-Cola, FedEx and other industry leaders transform political challenges into strategic opportunities. What makes Shannon's perspective unique is her focus on both the power plays that derail progress and the influence tactics that create breakthroughs. She's spent her career helping leaders build the political acumen required to turn impossible ideas into reality. Outthinker Accelerators live sessions are reserved for members, but we do have a limited number of guest spots available for this one. Apply now to join us for free and learn how to master the political dimensions of strategic leadership: https://lu.ma/c5vd3fbw

How do you bridge the gap between corporate strategy and functional execution when you don't have business units? One of our Outthinker Network members recently faced this exact challenge and sought answers in our Challenge Forum – a space where leaders present real problems and the community works together to find solutions. Swipe through for the practical solutions our network of senior strategy leaders generated??

We're bringing the Outthinker Network to Europe! Join us on April 28th in Dublin for an exclusive gathering of strategy, innovation, and transformation leaders. This one-day summit offers: ? Direct connection with our global network of strategic thinkers ? Focused discussions on critical challenges facing enterprise leaders ? Collaborative sessions designed for immediate practical application The event is designed exclusively for CSOs, CIOs, CGOs, and transformation executives at the C, EVP, and SVP levels. It's free for existing Outthinker members, and we have limited spots available for qualified non-members: https://lu.ma/1b4x3kjq And that's not all! You can make this a multi-day experience by also attending The Reinvention Summit organized by Outthinker member Aidan McCullen on April 29-30 (our event attendees will be able to join at a special price, too!) If you're driving strategic transformation at a large enterprise, this event is designed for you! Follow the lineup as we announce more soon: https://lu.ma/1b4x3kjq

Strategy is hard. It's not a revelation. It's not news. But it's true. Eric Woodard reminded us of that powerful reality at our recent Strategy in Turbulence Outthinker Summit in Miami. When you're navigating unprecedented market shifts, balancing competing priorities, and making decisions with incomplete information—the weight of strategic leadership becomes unmistakable. But here's what we witnessed: hard problems that haven't been solved before are still solvable. The magic happens when strategists step out of isolation. Watching attendees share frameworks, challenge assumptions, and build on each other's insights during the summit confirmed what we've always believed—strategy doesn't have to be a solitary burden. Ready to find your strategic thinking community? Join Outthinker Networks to connect with fellow strategy leaders who understand exactly what you're facing—and who are committed to helping each other solve the hardest problems in business today.

Last week, our Outthinker Network members got an exclusive masterclass on strategic narratives from C-suite narrative advisor Chris Hare. The big insight? Most strategies fail not because of flawed logic, but because the narrative doesn't inspire action. We're sharing 5 of Chris's keys for crafting strategic stories that drive real execution. Swipe through for some powerful insights??

Chief strategy officers are uniquely positioned to transform organizational purpose from a marketing slogan into a strategic driver. But many organizations struggle to make purpose actionable and measurable in ways that create a competitive advantage. In our latest Chief Strategy Officer Podcast episode, we explore how purpose can become a powerful strategic lever that drives decision-making, engages employees, and creates trust with customers. David Zapata and Claudio Ludovisi share their practical experiences making purpose work at scale. Review our latest Chief Strategy Officer Podcast episode, "Making Purpose a Strategic Advantage," to discover more.

"It's often a lonely position... I found a group of peers today that is invaluable." That's just one reaction from our recent Strategy in Turbulence Outthinker Summit in Miami. The sense of community was truly inspiring. And the discussions around AI in strategy, dynamic resource allocation, and tech convergence sparked exactly the kind of forward thinking we aim to cultivate! Thank you, Amelia Fox, for the kind words! Ready to join these conversations? Become part of our Outthinker Networks community for access to our next exclusive gathering of strategy leaders!

Ever wonder why brilliant ideas often die in committee? We've found the culprit isn't poor innovation - it's insufficient political skills. The most successful innovators we've studied don't just generate breakthrough ideas. They excel at navigating complex stakeholder environments to bring those ideas to life. Political acumen isn't just nice to have - it's one of the essential attributes that separate successful corporate entrepreneurs from the rest. That's why we're excited about our upcoming session in the Outthinker Accelerators Network with Shannon Wallis, former head of High Potential Leadership Development at Microsoft. She'll share how to transform politics from roadblock to advantage, drawing from her work with Amazon, Coca-Cola, FedEx, and other leading organizations. You can be part of this event in two ways: ?? join our Outthinker Accelerators Network: https://lnkd.in/gDHE5eRC or ?? apply for one of the few limited guest seats here: https://lu.ma/c5vd3fbw

Could science hold the key to better strategic planning? On the latest episode of the Outthinkers podcast, we sit down with Peter Compo, author of "The Emergent Approach to Strategy," who brings a refreshingly unconventional perspective to strategy development. Unlike most strategists from consulting firms or academia, Peter built his groundbreaking work first as a musician and scientist (with a doctorate in Chemical Engineering!), before gaining decades of experience in the "corporate trenches" at DuPont. Peter challenges the traditional notion that strategy is cascading and top-down. Instead, he proposes that effective strategy is "emergent" – constantly evolving as new information emerges, much like scientific discovery. In our conversation, we explore: → Why does strategy mirror evolution and scientific breakthroughs? → What's execution's scientific alter-ego, linked to hypotheses and experimentation? → What practical techniques can leaders apply immediately to jumpstart an emergent approach to strategy? If you're tired of rigid strategic frameworks that don't match the dynamic reality of business, you'll find Peter's perspective both liberating and practical! Listen to the full episode and more from the series here: https://lnkd.in/eBtqHPB8

In our latest Outthinkers podcast episode, Kaihan sits down with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, the thought leader who coined "The Project Economy" and author of the influential Powered by Projects: Leading Organizations in the Transformation Age. Antonio shares his compelling vision of how business structures are fundamentally transforming before our eyes: ?? By 2030, a staggering 70% of work will be project-based rather than operations-focused, dramatically reshaping how organizations function. ?? Traditional hierarchical structures are increasingly becoming barriers to growth as successful execution now depends on cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement. ?? Digitalization and AI are accelerating this shift, making the transition from repetitive operational work to dynamic project-driven approaches inevitable. ?? The PMO (Project Management Office) is evolving from an operational function to a strategic driver of organizational transformation. As a Thinkers50-recognized management leader, former Chairman of the Project Management Institute, and creator of the Brightline Initiative, Antonio brings unparalleled authority to this discussion of how every aspect of business—from strategy to management to departmental structures—must adapt to this new reality. This conversation offers critical insights for strategists navigating how to structure their organizations for future success in an increasingly project-driven business landscape. Listen to the full episode: https://lnkd.in/eBtqHPB8