Ask Dumb Questions, Embrace Mistakes — and Other Lessons on Innovation | Dave Raggio | TED
Updated: November 14, 2025
Summary
The video discusses the journey of an accidental intrapreneur within a big company who identified an opportunity to assist small-business customers. It emphasizes the significance of socializing the vision early on, involving multiple teams for support, and navigating challenges with confidence while learning from mistakes. Strategies like conducting dumb-question sessions, creating a judgment-free environment, and understanding personal risk tolerance are highlighted. It stresses the importance of thoughtful decision-making to minimize risks and working within the system while leveraging expertise for successful intrapreneurship.
Becoming an Intrapreneur
The speaker became an accidental intrapreneur within a larger company and saw an opportunity to help small-business customers.
Developing the Idea
The speaker proposed the idea to their company, received approval, and learned about successful intrapreneurship.
Socializing the Vision
The importance of socializing the vision early and involving more teams for support, despite facing uncomfortable conversations.
Building Support
The speaker engaged with various teams, shared their vision, and navigated challenges with overconfidence and learning from mistakes.
Implementing Strategies
Strategies such as conducting dumb-question sessions, fostering a judgment-free zone, and understanding personal risk tolerance are discussed.
Considerations and Decision-Making
Emphasizing thoughtful decision-making to mitigate risks and the importance of working within the system and leveraging expertise.
FAQ
Q: What is intrapreneurship?
A: Intrapreneurship refers to the practice of behaving like an entrepreneur while working within a large organization, pursuing innovative ideas and taking risks to develop new products or services.
Q: Why is socializing the vision early important in intrapreneurship?
A: Socializing the vision early is crucial in intrapreneurship to gain support from relevant teams, create alignment, and increase the chances of successful implementation.
Q: What are some strategies discussed for successful intrapreneurship?
A: Some strategies include conducting dumb-question sessions, creating a judgment-free zone, understanding personal risk tolerance, emphasizing thoughtful decision-making to mitigate risks, and working within the system by leveraging expertise.
Q: How can overconfidence impact intrapreneurship?
A: Overconfidence can lead to overlooking potential risks, underestimating challenges, and failing to adapt to changing circumstances, ultimately hindering the success of intrapreneurial endeavors.
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