#003B Summary Episode - Moonshots & Innovation with Pablo Rodriguez - a podcast by Ann Hiatt

Moonshots are a great opportunity to really stretch ourselves, for those unfamiliar with the term. Moonshots are really big goals, they’re about 10X not 10% growth, it’s what I like to call “breaking free from incrementalism”. We’re not just inching our way forward, we’re taking big, bold bets. No matter your personal comfort level with risk-taking there are definitely life changing experiences waiting for you to be brave enough to take them.

This may sound intimidating to you, but you are naturally wired for this. Reflect on how as a child you were able to learn a new language, to walk, your motor skills, all at once. So it is in your DNA to do seemingly astronomically difficult things.

In the conversation with Pablo last week we discussed how Moonshots focus on reverse engineering a desirable future (rather than solving a current problem of the now). The traditional definition of moonshots encompasses the following:

• 1- impact the lives of 100 million people and impact in a way that is for the greater good


• 2- Break through of technology that is required for success and is a radical solution to a long term problem of humanity


• 3- Has to be a good sizeable business at the end of the road to make this solution sustainable. Purpose leading to profit.

Moonshots used to be started by governments (ex: literal moon landing, the internet network). Now corporations are taking this on to create a robustness and best defense line to stay relevant and diverse  (70% core innovation with 10% in disruptive innovation). You see this at Amazon, Google, Facebook and Apple.

Pablo also discussed how he recognised a moonshot moment early on in his career, which convinced him to pivot from a PhD in physics in London as he realized he was on the computer more than anything else. He saw the internet changing everything and providing a way to “democratize innovation” and pivoted to connect that to his social activist side. He learned French in the summer and changed his studies to Computer Science.

Moonshots for us “normal people”, for those of us not inventing driverless cars, there are definitely things we can do to adopt this moonshot mindset.

Pablo also mentioned that alignment in your team is essential for these moonshot goals, he highlighted 5 things:

• Hire for and foster a culture of radical diversity (experience, backgrounds, etc) where all voices are heard


• Create an environment which pulls people out of their comfort zones and into new spaces


• Create psychological safety (where all ideas can be heard)


• Do the creative journey together through open sessions (rather than just dictating) which will create alignment


• Invest in storytelling to create alignment

Finally, I asked Pablo about the appetite he’d seen around risk taking during the pandemic, to which he mentioned:

• Leaders looking for synergies


• Governments need to use their abilities and means to stepping in (but haven’t bene effective yet)


• Communities are becoming abundant. They want discussions not lectures.


• Entrepreneurs veering more into social impact


• VCs leaning into risk taking


• It’s a time for wonder and exploring and questioning the status quo

What did you think of the episode? Don’t forget to like, subscribe and rate the channel! I’d love to hear your opinions!

---

Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ann-hiatt/support

Further episodes of Bet On Yourself by Ann Hiatt

Further podcasts by Ann Hiatt

Website of Ann Hiatt