Unleashing innovation: Be brave and say YES.

In a recent meeting, a colleague's comment resonated deeply: "It took me 40 minutes to develop this chat GPT application and another hour to convince my team to take a? photo for my presentation." This observation lingers in my thoughts, raising an essential question: Why do we, particularly in corporate settings, overcomplicate things? It's as though we're unintentionally reframing Peter Drucker's famous saying, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast," into "Politics and bureaucracy hinder innovation."

Our apprehension in adapting to our roles in this rapidly evolving cyber-world, increasingly dominated by machines, is understandable. Yet, the resistance to change, as the old saying goes, "the only constant is change," appears to be a self-defeating approach.

Consider the societal shifts urgently needed in various domains: Environmental crises are undeniable, with unprecedented weather patterns and natural disasters. Social challenges, including inequity and refugee crises are pressing. Economically, we witness major market fluctuations. Health-wise, we face a mental health epidemic and global health crises. Despite the pressing need for change, it seems there's a regressive trend. As Yuval Noah Harari suggests, this a common reaction to perceived threats throughout history. However, unlike past transitions, our role in this machine-dominated cyber-future is unclear, demanding new, high-level skills.

As human beings, when confronted with disruption, we face two choices: embrace it with an open mind, heart, and will, experimenting new ways organising ourselves and co-creating a better society, or resist and risk stagnation, as depicted in the film "Leave the World Behind." I choose optimism, believing that chaos precedes renewal, therefore I advocate for three simple actions to facilitate this transition:

1. Substitute "Yes, BUT" with "Yes, AND." The former often acts as a concealed 'no', closing doors to collaborative possibilities. Next time you’re presented with a new project, replace the BUT by AND and you’ll see how it opens up to co-creation.

2. Look for ¨Try-ins¨ instead of ¨Buy-ins¨. Approach new ventures as experiments, not as final decisions. They present growth opportunities rather than concrete solutions. This mindset promotes flexibility and adaptability, easing the pressure of achieving immediate perfection.

3. Shift the focus from fear of failure to the potential costs of inaction. Go beyond the size of oportunity to cost of experimenting. Frequently, the risk of doing nothing surpasses the consequences of trying and failing.?

Maybe, the actual challenge isn't artificial intelligence; it's our reluctance to evolve, to adapt. We risk losing more to our own resistance and mental health crises than to technological progress. By clinging to the status quo, we might be obstructing our potential to thrive.

In this context, the concept of promoting an humanised digitisation becomes vital. Technology, especially in its most advanced and empathetic forms, is not just a tool for efficiency but a catalyst for enhancing our quality of life. It holds the promise of not only streamlining processes but also of understanding and responding to our human needs, creating a more connected, empathetic, and efficient world. Embracing technology that respects and enhances our human experience is the key to not just surviving but thriving in this new era. It’s about what and how we do with the technology. It depends on us.?

Therefore, my invitation to you is this: Embrace change and the humanised digitisation. It's unfolding around us, regardless of individual likes or dislikes. Be curious, brave, and open to new possibilities. Let it go to let the new come. Be brave and say more YES. Let′s foster an humanised digitization, shaping the future we desire and deserve.