DisrupTV Special Edition: Scaling from the Edge with John Hagel

This DisrupTV Special Edition features renowned strategist and author John Hagel, Co-Founder of the Deloitte Center for the Edge, as he explores how businesses and leaders can create breakthrough value by shifting focus from the core to the edge.

Key Takeaways

  • Zoom Out, Zoom In Mindset: John Hagel introduces a mental model for expanding ambition—“zoom out” to detect broader patterns and long-term opportunity, then “zoom in” to identify specific, actionable possibilities.
  • Scaling from the Edge: He advocates for empowerment models that ignite innovation at the fringes—individuals and markets often overlooked by centralized systems are fertile ground for exponential growth.
  • Organizational Change Dynamics: Hagel notes that much of traditional “top-down” transformation fails. Instead, successful change should inspire individuals by focusing on opportunities that resonate personally, rather than relying on hierarchical directives.

Notable Quotes

  • John Hagel: “‘Zoom out, zoom in’ transforms our mindset—enabling us to spot macro shifts and then act with precision.” 
  • John Hagel: “Scaling innovation from the edge unlocks potential where core strategies fall short.” 
  • John Hagel: “Top-down change struggles; true transformation ignites where individuals find meaning and opportunity.”

Final Thoughts

This special episode with John Hagel offers a fundamental shift in how we approach transformation. Instead of centralized mandates, success emerges from embracing the “zoom out, zoom in” mindset—expanding our strategic view to spot opportunities, then focusing agilely on where value can actually be created. By empowering teams at the edge, organizations become more adaptive, innovative, and resilient. Ultimately, it’s not top-down edicts that drive change—it’s the meaningful actions born from personal insight and initiative.

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