From The Archives: Polly LaBarre

In this episode of the GDA Podcast, Gail Davis and Kyle Davis sit down with Polly LaBarre, bestselling author, speaker, and founding member of Fast Company, to explore how organizations can become more adaptable, innovative, and engaging in a rapidly changing world.

Polly shares what she has learned from studying progressive organizations around the world and explains why experimentation is one of the most powerful tools for driving change. She explores how leaders can create environments where people have the freedom to test ideas, learn from failure, share work in progress, and contribute their full potential.

Key topics include:

• Using small, frequent experiments to make organizations more adaptable
• Reframing failure as an opportunity to learn, iterate, and improve
• Why sharing work in progress can create greater transparency and collaboration
• Giving people closer to the customer more freedom and authority to make decisions
• Balancing constant change and innovation with time to reset and recharge
• Using purpose and deeply held values to guide everyday decisions and create meaningful differentiation

Polly’s message is a reminder that creating a more innovative organization isn't about having all the answers. It’s about building a culture where people can experiment, learn, adapt, and use a shared sense of purpose to guide what comes next.

Visit gdaspeakers.com to learn more about bringing Polly LaBarre to your next event.