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The People Equation: Why Innovation Is People, Not Products
The People Equation
Every business leader knows that the key to growth is innovation--if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got. Deborah Perry Piscione and David Crawley argue that ultimately the key to innovation is people. After all, creativity is a uniquely human function, something that can't be automated. So how do you design an organization so that it provides the elements that will bear new thinking and bring forth bold ideas? Through The People Equation.
Based on examples from their consulting work and research into successful business practices, Perry Piscione and Crawley's The People Equation enables leaders to create a culture where psychological safety is a given, risk taking is embraced, and collaboration between highly competent people is nurtured. When experiments and new initiatives look promising, Perry Piscione and Crawley's Improvisational Innovation process provides a road map to quickly develop ideas and bring them to market. All this requires upending the usual organizational pyramid and instilling a completely new mindset throughout the organization.
Perry Piscione and Crawley show that in our rapidly changing world, the top is not where the really disruptive ideas are going to come from. And if people are afraid to take chances, even fail, you're never going to get those ideas--playing it safe means you'll be out of the game. The People Equation provides you with a formula for exponentially increasing out-of-the-box thinking in your organization and multiplying your chances for greater growth and success.
Every business leader knows that the key to growth is innovation--if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got. Deborah Perry Piscione and David Crawley argue that ultimately the key to innovation is people. After all, creativity is a uniquely human function, something that can't be automated. So how do you design an organization so that it provides the elements that will bear new thinking and bring forth bold ideas? Through The People Equation.
Based on examples from their consulting work and research into successful business practices, Perry Piscione and Crawley's The People Equation enables leaders to create a culture where psychological safety is a given, risk taking is embraced, and collaboration between highly competent people is nurtured. When experiments and new initiatives look promising, Perry Piscione and Crawley's Improvisational Innovation process provides a road map to quickly develop ideas and bring them to market. All this requires upending the usual organizational pyramid and instilling a completely new mindset throughout the organization.
Perry Piscione and Crawley show that in our rapidly changing world, the top is not where the really disruptive ideas are going to come from. And if people are afraid to take chances, even fail, you're never going to get those ideas--playing it safe means you'll be out of the game. The People Equation provides you with a formula for exponentially increasing out-of-the-box thinking in your organization and multiplying your chances for greater growth and success.
192 pages, Hardcover
Published April 3, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 14, 2017
Hard to get through.
December 9, 2025
A quite small book but sure full of very real advice and their reasons why we should follow their recommendations. I can also see why companies do not take or follow these principles--That people is always first. In a world were it is easy to get "warm bodies", we lose our interest for the human being behind that warm body. We do think( as managers and as companies) that everyone is replaceable and that no one is indispensable.
It is exactly those same feelings--that either inhibits or enables that spark on innovation in people.
It can not be easy to balance what the Co. wants, what we want as managers and what people wants.
However, the solution is simple--let's just focus on paying closer attention to our employees and see how they flourish in their own world of learning and discovery. At the end--the company is the one that benefits! And when the Co benefits--the Co. also needs to make sure--everyone benefits too!
If you want to promote innovation in your field--read and practice this book. I am sure it will make the difference right away--in a positive aspect.
It is exactly those same feelings--that either inhibits or enables that spark on innovation in people.
It can not be easy to balance what the Co. wants, what we want as managers and what people wants.
However, the solution is simple--let's just focus on paying closer attention to our employees and see how they flourish in their own world of learning and discovery. At the end--the company is the one that benefits! And when the Co benefits--the Co. also needs to make sure--everyone benefits too!
If you want to promote innovation in your field--read and practice this book. I am sure it will make the difference right away--in a positive aspect.
February 6, 2022
Great concepts about creating an environment where workers want to take risks and therefore innovate. Flat-end leadership is encouraged. The "people equation solution" summaries at the end of each chapter are helpful. Seems, however, to be written for managers and needs more suggestions for people lower on the hierarchy.
January 29, 2026
Good structured take on how innovation has to happen and how to foster it in an Organization.
It talks about people, processes, mindset and culture need to ensure innovation gets a push. Good one overall.
It talks about people, processes, mindset and culture need to ensure innovation gets a push. Good one overall.
July 23, 2017
A must read for all managers.
September 29, 2022
Unremarkable book covers much the same ground as similar business books.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews