<description>&lt;p&gt;As the year winds down, we asked 20 friends of IDEO including IDEO U instructors, Creative Confidence Podcast guests, and partners of IDEO to share honest leadership advice for leaders heading into 2026. In part one, hear reflections on uncertainty, creativity, and momentum. Host Mina Seetharaman and IDEO Partner Ilya Prokopoff share reactions and builds on each leader's advice.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Find more episodes of the Creative Confidence Podcast at &lt;a href="ideou.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;ideou.com/podcast&lt;/a&gt;. Take online courses in human-centered design, AI, leadership, and more at &lt;a href="ideou.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;ideou.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Many of the leaders featured on this episode have been guests on the podcast. Find links to their episodes at &lt;a href="https://www.ideou.com/blogs/inspiration" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;ideou.com/blogs/inspiration&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Guests on this episode:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmichaelhendrix/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Michael Hendrix&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Managing Director, Invisible Notes; former IDEO Partner&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kschnipp/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Kate Schnippering&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Polar Expedition Crew Member, IDEO U Instructor: Creative Thinking for Complex Problem Solving&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherineconnors/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Catherine Connors&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Co-founder, StoryQuo&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-lo-28654b3/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Jennifer Lo&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Futurist in Residence and Senior Director of Organizational Design, IDEO&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannegibbshoward/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Suzanne Gibbs Howard&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Founder, IDEO U; Leadership and Learning Advisor; IDEO U Instructor: Unlocking Creativity&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wardahmalik1/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Wardah Malik&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;CEO, BEworks&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimm4/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Kim Scott&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Author &amp;amp; Founder, Radical Candor&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/molliewest/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Mollie West Duffy&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Co-author, No Hard Feelings; Big Feelings&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniewan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Bonnie Wan&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Author &amp;amp; Founder, The Life Brief&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

As the year winds down, we asked 20 friends of IDEO including IDEO U instructors, Creative Confidence Podcast guests, and partners of IDEO to share honest leadership advice for leaders heading into 2026. In part one, hear reflections on uncertainty, creativity, and momentum. Host Mina Seetharaman and IDEO Partner Ilya Prokopoff share reactions and builds on each leader's advice. Find more episodes of the Creative Confidence Podcast at <a href="ideou.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ideou.com/podcast</a>. Take online courses in human-centered design, AI, leadership, and more at <a href="ideou.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ideou.com</a>. Many of the leaders featured on this episode have been guests on the podcast. Find links to their episodes at <a href="https://www.ideou.com/blogs/inspiration" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ideou.com/blogs/inspiration</a>. Guests on this episode: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmichaelhendrix/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Michael Hendrix</a>Managing Director, Invisible Notes; former IDEO Partner <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kschnipp/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kate Schnippering</a>Polar Expedition Crew Member, IDEO U Instructor: Creative Thinking for Complex Problem Solving <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherineconnors/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Catherine Connors</a>Co-founder, StoryQuo <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-lo-28654b3/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jennifer Lo</a>Futurist in Residence and Senior Director of Organizational Design, IDEO <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannegibbshoward/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Suzanne Gibbs Howard</a>Founder, IDEO U; Leadership and Learning Advisor; IDEO U Instructor: Unlocking Creativity <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wardahmalik1/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wardah Malik</a>CEO, BEworks <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimm4/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kim Scott</a>Author &amp; Founder, Radical Candor <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/molliewest/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mollie West Duffy</a>Co-author, No Hard Feelings; Big Feelings <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniewan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bonnie Wan</a>Author &amp; Founder, The Life Brief<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Part 1: Honest, Realistic, and Optimistic Leadership Advice from Friends of IDEO

<description>&lt;p&gt;Host Mina Seetharaman chats with IDEO CEO Mike Peng about what creative excellence means today and how leaders can cultivate it on their teams. Mike shares three favorite leadership philosophies, stories from his global career, and practical ways to spark creativity, build healthy friction, and stay inspired.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sign up for invitations to live podcast recordings at &lt;a href="https://open.acast.com/networks/691370fd543edcb560b2093b/shows/69137278a17ebcde88acd950/episodes/ideou.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;ideou.com/podcast&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Host Mina Seetharaman chats with IDEO CEO Mike Peng about what creative excellence means today and how leaders can cultivate it on their teams. Mike shares three favorite leadership philosophies, stories from his global career, and practical ways to spark creativity, build healthy friction, and stay inspired. Sign up for invitations to live podcast recordings at <a href="https://open.acast.com/networks/691370fd543edcb560b2093b/shows/69137278a17ebcde88acd950/episodes/ideou.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ideou.com/podcast</a>.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

3 Leadership Philosophies to Inspire Creative Excellence: Mike Peng

<description>&lt;p&gt;Learn how interaction designer Takashi Wickes uses AI to prototype ideas with more creativity, intention, and humanity. In this conversation with host Mina Seetharaman, Takashi shares mindsets, stories, and practical methods from IDEO U’s &lt;a href="https://www.ideou.com/products/ai-prototyping" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Prototyping with AI&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt; online course to help you stay curious, embrace friction, and keep humans at the center of AI-powered design.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sign up for invitations to live podcast recordings at &lt;a href="ideou.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;ideou.com/podcast&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Learn how interaction designer Takashi Wickes uses AI to prototype ideas with more creativity, intention, and humanity. In this conversation with host Mina Seetharaman, Takashi shares mindsets, stories, and practical methods from IDEO U’s <a href="https://www.ideou.com/products/ai-prototyping" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Prototyping with AI</a> online course to help you stay curious, embrace friction, and keep humans at the center of AI-powered design. Sign up for invitations to live podcast recordings at <a href="ideou.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ideou.com/podcast</a>.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

How to Prototype with AI: Takashi Wickes

<description>How can leaders bring AI into their organizations thoughtfully, without losing what makes them human? In this Asked &amp; Answered episode, AI strategist and IDEO alum Justin Massa joins host Mina Seetharaman to answer listener questions and share a grounded, practical view of AI adoption. Justin explains why so many companies struggle to move from experimentation to impact, how to foster a culture of safe exploration, and why empathy and trust remain at the heart of leadership in the age of AI. Read the recap of this conversation on the IDEO U blog at ideou.com.&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

How can leaders bring AI into their organizations…

How can leaders bring AI into their organizations thoughtfully, without losing what makes them human? In this Asked & Answered episode, AI strategist and IDEO alum Justin Massa joins host Mina Seetharaman to answer listener questions and share a grounded, practical view of AI adoption. Justin explains why so many companies struggle to move from experimentation to impact, how to foster a culture of safe exploration, and why empathy and trust remain at the heart of leadership in the age of AI. Read the recap of this conversation on the IDEO U blog at ideou.com.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Asked & Answered: Justin Massa on Adopting AI with Purpose and Confidence

<description>AI strategist and former IDEO partner Justin Massa joins host Mina Seetharaman to help leaders cut through the hype and focus on where artificial intelligence can create the most value. He shares practical frameworks for identifying strategic opportunities, balancing automation with augmentation, and bringing AI into your organization in a way that’s both human-centered and high-impact.Learn how to use Justin’s AI Opportunity Matrix, discover four universal entry points for AI innovation in businesses, and hear why reframing ROI beyond efficiency is key to sustainable growth.Read the recap of this discussion on the IDEO U blog at ideou.com. Want to learn more? Build your own AI adoption plan and learn tools for creativity, strategy, and responsible innovation in IDEO U's AI x Design Thinking Certificate, an 8-week online program. Learn more at ideo.in/aicert.&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

AI strategist and former IDEO partner Justin Mass…

AI strategist and former IDEO partner Justin Massa joins host Mina Seetharaman to help leaders cut through the hype and focus on where artificial intelligence can create the most value. He shares practical frameworks for identifying strategic opportunities, balancing automation with augmentation, and bringing AI into your organization in a way that’s both human-centered and high-impact.Learn how to use Justin’s AI Opportunity Matrix, discover four universal entry points for AI innovation in businesses, and hear why reframing ROI beyond efficiency is key to sustainable growth.Read the recap of this discussion on the IDEO U blog at ideou.com. Want to learn more? Build your own AI adoption plan and learn tools for creativity, strategy, and responsible innovation in IDEO U's AI x Design Thinking Certificate, an 8-week online program. Learn more at ideo.in/aicert.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

How to Invest in AI for Your Business: Justin Massa

IDEO’s Creative Confidence Podcast shares candid conversations with creative leaders, changemakers, and innovators navigating today’s most pressing challenges. Through real-world stories and insights, we explore how to lead with creativity, build resilient teams, and drive innovation. Grounded in IDEO’s 40 years of expertise in design thinking and innovation, each episode offers inspiration and practical tools for audacious leaders at every stage of their careers. Hosted by Mina Seetharaman, Head of New Ventures at IDEO, the podcast brings a human-centered lens to the complexities of making more courageous futures. Discover more at <a href="IDEOU.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">IDEOU.com</a>.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Creative Confidence Podcast

Details

Recent Episodes