Innovation often feels like a risk, especially when the world is already full of uncertainty. But what if innovation is actually the key to creating clarity, not chaos?
In a compelling and timely episode of Women Leaders on the Move, host Natalie Benamou talks with Robyn Bolton—Founder and Chief Navigator of Mile Zero and author of Unlocking Innovation—about the real-world challenges and opportunities of driving innovation today.
Robyn brings a refreshingly honest and practical perspective to the conversation. With experience at Procter & Gamble, Boston Consulting Group, and now as an innovation consultant and professor, she’s worked with leaders across industries who are eager to do something new—but often unsure how to begin or keep going.
What Does It Really Take to Innovate?
Innovation isn’t just about launching the next big thing. It’s about solving problems in new ways. It’s about creating space for different perspectives. And often, it’s about making progress when the path ahead feels anything but clear.
Whether you’re working inside a large organization or forging your own path, this episode shines a light on the mindset and behaviors that help ideas move forward.
Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Conversation:
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- Why short-term thinking is one of the biggest barriers to innovation in corporate settings
- What leaders can do to align their behavior with their innovation goals
- How to create a culture that supports experimentation—even when budgets are tight
- What it looks like to innovate for yourself during times of uncertainty
- Why empathy, clarity, and connection are the real tools of change
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Key Takeaways
1. Innovation Isn’t Just About Big Ideas
You don’t need a moonshot to make meaningful change. As Robyn shares, small improvements in how we work, communicate, or serve customers can add up to real impact. This is especially important in uncertain times when large-scale changes may feel overwhelming or impossible.
“There’s incredible potential right in front of you with what you’re already doing—innovation doesn’t always mean starting from scratch.”
2. Leadership Behavior Matters More Than Strategy
One of the most eye-opening moments in the episode comes when Robyn points out that structure alone won’t drive innovation. You can have the best playbook in the world, but if leadership behaviors aren’t aligned with it, progress will stall.
“We’ve spent decades focusing on the structure of innovation, but it’s leadership behavior that really drives outcomes.”
Innovation often gets blocked by invisible barriers—misaligned priorities, risk-averse mindsets, or internal silos. True innovation begins when leaders are honest about their motivations, the risks they’re willing to take, and the type of culture they want to create.
3. You Can—and Should—Innovate for Yourself
While much of the conversation focuses on organizational innovation, Robyn also makes a powerful case for personal innovation. Especially in uncertain times, focusing on what you can control—your mindset, your actions, your growth—is not only empowering, it’s essential.
“Innovation is inherently uncertain—but it’s also the best way we have to bring certainty to uncertainty.”
Innovation doesn’t always look like a new product or service. It can be about learning something new, reframing a challenge, or creating space for yourself to breathe, reflect, and reset.
The Human Side of Innovation
This episode also touches on something that often gets overlooked in conversations about innovation: the emotional side. Frustration, resistance, burnout, and fear of failure are real. Whether you’re leading a company or just trying to make a change in your own work life, Robyn reminds us that empathy—for yourself and for others—is not optional. It’s foundational.
She shares how simple conversations—real, human interactions—can spark clarity and connection. In a world filled with dashboards, metrics, and AI tools, it’s easy to forget that the best solutions still start with listening and asking the right questions.
About Robyn Bolton
Robyn Bolton is the Founder and Chief Navigator of Mile Zero, where she works with senior executives at medium and large companies to confidently and consistently grow through innovation. She has partnered with clients across industries—from industrial goods to healthcare to education—and brings deep experience from her time at Procter & Gamble, BCG, and Innosight.
Robyn is also a professor in the Master of Design Innovation program at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where she teaches future changemakers how to design, build, and lead with purpose.
📘 Learn more about her book, Unlocking Innovation
🔗 Connect with Robyn Bolton on LinkedIn
Resources Mentioned
🎬 Fly Me to the Moon — A story about bold ideas, imagination, and belief in what’s possible.
Meet Your Host: Natalie Benamou
Natalie Benamou is the host of Women Leaders on the Move, a Top 25 Women’s Leadership podcast by Feedspot. She’s also the Founder of HerCsuite®, a powerful women’s network that helps executive women, board directors, and entrepreneurs thrive in the second half of their careers. In addition, Natalie leads the nonprofit HER HEALTHX, focused on improving women’s health outcomes.
Natalie Benamou on LinkedIn
HerCsuite® on LinkedIn
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