loader from loading.io

The Harmony of Ra and Horus: Bridging Exploit and Explore

The Innovation Show

Release Date: 11/21/2024

The Legal Boundaries of User Innovation and Patents with Prof. Andrew Torrance show art The Legal Boundaries of User Innovation and Patents with Prof. Andrew Torrance

The Innovation Show

We welcome Prof. Andrew Torrance, distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Kansas and visiting scholar at MIT, to discuss the complex legal landscape surrounding user innovation and patents. The conversation delves into the freedom and challenges of product innovation, the balance between open and closed inventions, and the ethical implications of experimental treatments. They also explore the historical and ongoing impact of FDA regulations and the role of patents in fostering or hindering innovation. Sponsored by Wazoku, this episode is essential listening for innovators, legal...

info_outline
Gary Hamel - Leading the Revolution Part 3 Be Your Own Seer show art Gary Hamel - Leading the Revolution Part 3 Be Your Own Seer

The Innovation Show

Welcome back to part three of 'Leading the Revolution' with the legendary Gary Hamel. In this episode of The Innovation Show, Gary and host Aiden dive deep into two key chapters from Gary's books, exploring the principle of learning to be your own seer and the critical distinction between imagination and prediction in innovation. They discuss the importance of psychological safety in fostering creativity within companies and why many organizations fail to imagine the future. Gary shares his insights on developing foresight, the role of contrarianism in innovation, and the necessity of building...

info_outline
Gary Hamel: Leading the Revolution Part 2  Business Concept Innovation show art Gary Hamel: Leading the Revolution Part 2 Business Concept Innovation

The Innovation Show

In this episode of the Innovation Show, we dive into Chapter 3 of Gary Hamel's influential book, 'Leading the Revolution.' Gary, one of the early proponents of business model generation, discusses the concept of Business Concept Innovation and how it has reshaped industries over the years. We explore examples of companies like Dell and Apple, which have successfully implemented innovative business models, and we delve into the components of business model innovation, including customer interaction, strategies, and value networks. Gary also shares his insights on overcoming organizational...

info_outline
Gary Hamel - Leading the Revolution Part 1 show art Gary Hamel - Leading the Revolution Part 1

The Innovation Show

Gary Hamel on Leading the Revolution Part 1   In this episode, renowned business thinker Gary Hamel discusses his book 'Leading the Revolution' with Aidan McCullen, offering an innovative action plan for companies or individuals aiming to stay ahead of the industry. Drawing on successful examples from companies like Charles Schwab, Virgin, GE Capital, and profiling innovators like Ken Kutaragi of Sony PlayStation, Hamel shares how to grow and innovate amidst market chaos. He explores the origin of revolutionary business concepts, key criteria for building activist-friendly and...

info_outline
Gary Hamel - Competence Based Competition show art Gary Hamel - Competence Based Competition

The Innovation Show

In this episode of The Innovation Show, host Aidan McCullen welcomes back esteemed guest Gary Hamel, celebrated business strategist and co-author of the revolutionary article on core competencies. They dive deep into the concept of competence-based competition, discussing the origins, importance, and modern applications of core competencies. Gary shares insights from his extensive work alongside CK Prahalad and reflects on how their ideas shaped corporate strategy. Using historical and contemporary examples, including Tesla and HAIER, they explore how focusing on deep skills can lead to...

info_outline
Pedro Oliveira: User Innovation in Healthcare show art Pedro Oliveira: User Innovation in Healthcare

The Innovation Show

Pedro Oliveira: User Innovation in Healthcare   Welcome to a new series inspired by Eric Von Hippel, and sponsored by Wazoku. In today's episode, we are joined by Professor Pedro Oliveira, founder and president of Patient Innovation, to explore the role of patients and caregivers in developing new medical products and services. Discover remarkable stories of user-generated medical innovations, such as Tal Golesworthy's life-saving aortic support and Louis Plante's innovative lung-clearing device. Learn how Patient Innovation is helping to bring these solutions to market through a...

info_outline
Gary Hamel - Competing For The Future Part 2 show art Gary Hamel - Competing For The Future Part 2

The Innovation Show

The Future of Foresight & Innovation: Insights with Gary Hamel | The Innovation Show   In this episode, we have the pleasure of welcoming back Gary Hamel, a leading expert in business strategy and management. Host Aidan McCullen and Gary Hamel dive deep into the concept of foresight, stressing the importance of understanding broad themes and emerging trends to guide companies toward future opportunities. They discuss companies' common blind spots and failures in anticipating the future, as well as ways to leverage resources effectively. Gary shares insights on the necessity of...

info_outline
Gary Hamel Part 1: Competing for the Future 1 show art Gary Hamel Part 1: Competing for the Future 1

The Innovation Show

Gary Hamel Part 1: Competing for the Future 1   In this episode of the Innovation Show, renowned management thinker Gary Hamel discusses his extensive work in the field of organizational transformation and innovation. Reflecting on his early experiences at the University of Michigan and the London Business School, Hamel shares insights into the impact of foreign competition on American businesses in the late 1970s, and the critical importance of foresight and humility for executives. He delves into his consulting work with companies like Nokia and Apple, emphasizing the need for open...

info_outline
Paul Nunes and Ian Morrison (R.I.P.) - Navigating Second Curves show art Paul Nunes and Ian Morrison (R.I.P.) - Navigating Second Curves

The Innovation Show

To Ian Morrison, Rest in Peace.   In this inaugural episode of 'Innovation Show X,' host Aidan McCullen is joined by renowned guests Ian Morrison and Paul Nunes to discuss navigating the complex landscape of innovation. They explore key concepts from their influential books, 'The Second Curve' and 'Jumping the S-Curve,' providing insights into managing transitions in business, the challenges of risk and asset allocation, and how companies can sustain high performance over time.    The episode also pays tribute to the late Ian Morrison for his contributions to thought leadership...

info_outline
Henry Mintzberg - Bedtime Stories for Managers show art Henry Mintzberg - Bedtime Stories for Managers

The Innovation Show

Henry Mintzberg - Bedtime Stories for Managers   In this episode, our guest is Henry Mintzberg, celebrated management thinker and author of 'Bedtime Stories for Managers.' We explore key themes from his 20th book, which is a collection of insightful essays from his widely read blog. Henry discusses the importance of managers getting out of their lofty offices to truly understand their organizations, the myth of the managerial 'maestro,' and the dangers of over-reliance on hard data. We also delve into the pitfalls of MBA programs, short-term strategy thinking, and the importance of...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

The Harmony of Ra and Horus: Bridging Exploit and Explore

F Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”

In times of turbulence, leaders must balance the two opposing ideas of exploit and explore.

Ra and Horus, two pivotal figures in Egyptian mythology, symbolise the dual forces of power and intuition, rationality and creativity. Together as Ra-Horakhty, they embody a unification of opposites. In organisational terms, this metaphor captures the balance between exploitation — the optimisation of current capabilities — and exploration — the pursuit of new possibilities. Inspired by my recent conversation with Mike Tushman and Charles O’Reilly and James March’s seminal work on organisational learning, this post explores how integrating these dual forces fosters ambidexterity, enabling organisations to thrive in both the present and the future.

Ra: The Organisational Force of Exploitation

In mythology, Ra is the sun god, embodying power, creation, and rationality. He represents the structured, predictable cycle of the sun, providing stability and light. In organisations, Ra reflects the principles of exploitation, ensuring that current strengths are refined and utilised to their fullest potential.

Organisational Ra includes:

Execution and Strategy: Teams that deliver results through clear processes and focused strategies.

Operational Efficiency: Optimisation of resources, ensuring stability and short-term profitability.

Leadership and Structure: Leaders who prioritise alignment with organisational goals and mitigate risk.

Ra aligns with the conscious mind, driving focus, clarity, and execution. However, organisations overly reliant on Ra risk stagnation, becoming trapped in suboptimal routines that limit innovation.

Horus: The Organisational Force of Exploration

The Eye of Horus symbolises protection, health, and restoration in ancient Egypt. According to myth, Horus lost his left eye in a battle with Seth, and it was magically restored by Hathor. This restoration came to symbolise healing and the process of becoming whole. Horus, the falcon-headed god, represents creativity and vision, capturing the spirit of exploration and long-term growth.

Organisational Horus includes:

Innovation and Creativity: Teams that explore bold ideas, embrace uncertainty, and foster breakthroughs.

Empathy and Culture: Efforts that nurture human-centred design and foster a supportive organisational culture.

Long-Term Vision: Leadership that anticipates future challenges and invests in experimentation.

Horus represents the subconscious mind, fostering emotional intelligence and adaptability. However, without Ra’s structure, organisations driven solely by Horus risk lacking focus and direction.

Ra-Horakhty: Uniting Exploitation and Exploration

In Egyptian mythology, Ra-Horakhty — “Ra, who is Horus of the Two Horizons” — represents the unification of these complementary forces. The rising sun (Horus) and the setting sun (Ra) reflect a cyclical harmony, where opposites merge to create a greater whole.

In organisations, Ra-Horakhty serves as a metaphor for ambidexterity — the ability to balance exploitation (Ra) with exploration (Horus). This balance is essential for thriving in both stable and volatile environments.

Organisational Ra-Horakhty includes:

Unified Leadership: Leaders who can integrate operational efficiency with visionary strategy.

Ambidextrous Teams: Structures that enable both incremental improvements and bold innovations.

Cultural Harmony: A mindset that values both stability and adaptability, blending logic with creativity.

The Balance Between Exploitation and Exploration

Scholars like James March, Tushman, O’Reilly and Binns highlights the organisational challenge of balancing exploitation and exploration:

Exploitation: Refining current capabilities to maximise short-term gains.

Exploration: Pursuing new opportunities, which are uncertain but critical for long-term success.

These opposing forces compete for resources, and organisations often lean too heavily on exploitation due to its immediate, predictable returns. However, this focus risks neglecting exploration, leading to long-term stagnation.

Achieving the right balance involves recognising the distinct yet interdependent nature of these forces. Just as Ra and Horus come together as Ra-Horakhty, organisations must integrate exploitation and exploration to create a cohesive, adaptive strategy.

Harmony is not the absence of opposites but the unification of their purpose.

Until next week!