The New Science of Radical Innovation: The Six Competencies Leaders Need to Win in a Complex World

The New Science of Radical Innovation: The Six Competencies Leaders Need to Win in a Complex World has been widely discussed and does an excellent job of presenting new management science concepts emanating from the fields of complex adaptive systems theory, quantum mechanics, and neuroscience. Business leaders can benefit from research on topics such as Google’s approach to radical innovation, Artificial Intelligence, and the origins of chaos theory. For example, the 2014 Ebola outbreak introduced new variables (geographical and political changes, increased population and patterns of interaction), necessitating innovative solutions. “Quantum Leaders” must possess the six competencies/sets of management skills and capabilities derived from examination of the emerging radical innovation business environment. The new leadership competencies described in the latter half of the book are: self-management, providing safety, creating differentiation, strengthening connection, facilitating learning, and stimulating radical innovation. Descriptions of these competencies are very complex, and reexamine many of the concepts previously introduced. There already exist scores of competency models maintained by corporations, the Federal Government, and associations such as the Society for Human Resource Management. The unique skills for handling innovation recommended by Giles need to be more clearly defined so that they can be widely deployed.