Why Most Innovation Efforts Fail: Future-Fit Leadership | Barbara Salopek | iNNOVATION Insights | Ep. 76

In this episode of iNNOVATION Insights, Dr. Eulanda Sanders sits down with Barbara Salopek, MBA, MS — Innovation Strategist, TEDx Speaker, Founder of Vinco Innovation, and author of Future-Fit Innovation. Barbara shares why most AI and innovation initiatives fail — and it is not because of technology. It is because of people, culture, and leadership. Drawing from 20+ years of international innovation leadership across Europe, Barbara explains why innovation must work on three levels: • The individual• The team • The organization Skip one, and the transformation stays superficial. ⚫In this conversation, you will learn: • Why innovation is a marathon, not a sprint • The hidden human blocks that stall AI adoption • How functional fixedness limits creativity • Why psychological safety is essential for transformation • The role of diversity in driving better innovation outcomes • Why leadership alignment determines success or failure • How to build an innovation muscle bottom-up and top-down Barbara also shares her journey as a female founder building a global innovation consultancy from scratch — and what it truly takes to tolerate uncertainty and lead through complexity. If you are a business leader, academic, entrepreneur, strategist, or executive navigating AI, sustainability, or culture change — this episode will challenge and equip you. Innovation is not a department. It is a system. ⚫Connect with Barbara ◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-salopek/ ◾TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@barbaraceovinco ◾Vinco Website: https://vinco.no/ ◾Personal Website: barbarasalopek.com/⚫Subscribe to iNNOVATION Insights News https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/contact ⚫iNNOVATION Insights - https://www.innovation-and-insights.com/