An Unexpected Delight
I had the pleasure of meeting Lila Snyder, CEO of Bose Corporation, at a fireside chat that was nothing short of a masterclass in sound innovation and leadership. Our conversation was as enlightening as it was engaging, offering a peek into the mind of the woman leading Bose’s groundbreaking advancements in audio technology.
The Surprising Role of Luck in Innovation
Our chat took a fascinating turn as we explored the unpredictable role of luck in achieving success—think of it as the surprise feature in a new product release. Lila pointed out that luck can be as erratic as a weather app in a storm, but it plays a crucial role in steering our career paths. She humorously noted that if she had fixated solely on becoming the CEO of Bose from her early engineering days, her career might have hit a few detours. This is a valuable reminder for product managers: those unexpected moments and chance encounters can sometimes lead to groundbreaking innovations and success.
Cultivating Innovation and Luck
Our conversation also touched on Hearts, Smarts, Guts & Luck, a book that delves into how we can actively cultivate luck. Lila’s journey at Bose is a perfect example of this. Leading the charge in sound innovation, she’s demonstrated that while luck may give you a nudge, curiosity, continuous learning, and a forward-thinking mindset drive the success of new products. The book suggests that teams can unlock new opportunities and achieve remarkable breakthroughs by fostering an environment where innovation thrives—much like Lila champions at Bose. It’s a bit like trying to predict the unpredictable, but with the right mindset, you might invent the next big thing.
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