Ask Dumb Questions, Embrace Mistakes — and Other Lessons on Innovation | Dave Raggio | TED

The speaker recounts his experience as an accidental intrapreneur at Intuit, highlighting key lessons learned through mistakes. These lessons include the importance of early and frequent socialization of ideas, active listening, and understanding the high stakes involved when innovating within a large organization. The conclusion emphasizes the benefits of leveraging the expertise within large organizations to achieve better outcomes.

Socialize Vision Early

• 00:01:04 Initially, the speaker attempted a 'skunkworks' approach, working in secrecy, but this hindered progress as he needed support from other teams. He learned the importance of establishing human connections and sharing his vision through informal interactions like happy hours and coffee breaks to build support and gain understanding.

Listen Early and Often

• 00:02:42 The speaker's initial overconfidence in his marketing knowledge led him to dismiss dissenting opinions as 'blockers'. He later recognized the value of other perspectives and implemented 'dumb-question sessions' as a safe space to openly discuss unknowns, promoting a shared understanding of the business.

High Stakes of Innovation

• 00:04:51 While personal risk tolerance is relevant in startups, intrapreneurship within a large organization like Intuit carries high stakes. Actions and decisions can significantly impact customer trust, product experience, and the broader organization, requiring careful consideration of every step.