The Qualities That Drive Innovation and Create Possibilities with Google’s First Chief Innovation Evangelist Frederik Pferdt
How can leaders innovate and turn uncertainty into opportunity? Google’s first Chief Innovation Evangelist, Frederik Pferdt, reveals how radical optimism and curiosity drive future-ready leadership.
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The future isn’t something that happens to us—it’s something we create. But with uncertainty and rapid change at every turn, most leaders are left feeling stuck, searching for a way forward. How do you drive innovation when the path ahead feels unclear? How do you inspire a team to see opportunity in challenges?
In this episode of Future Ready Leadership, Google’s first Chief Innovation Evangelist, Frederik Pferdt, shares the mindset shifts and actionable strategies that turn uncertainty into possibility.
Frederik doesn’t just talk about innovation—he’s helped build one of the most innovative companies in the world by empowering teams to experiment boldly, stay curious, and embrace radical optimism. And his message is clear: innovation isn’t about systems, perks, or resources. It’s about mindset.
Stop Killing Ideas Before They Have a Chance
Why do so many great ideas seem to die before they even get started? According to Frederik, leaders tend to evaluate ideas instead of allowing them to grow. “An idea board,” he said, “is where ideas go to die.”
Think about it: someone on your team comes to you with an idea they’re excited about. Your first instinct might be to pick it apart—we don’t have the budget, it’s not part of the strategy, who’s going to work on it? The idea dies on arrival because of the message that those questions send to your people.
Frederik flips the script. Instead of evaluating ideas, he says leaders need to encourage experimentation. Let your team test their ideas quickly and learn fast—without waiting for perfect conditions. It’s like gardening: “You plant seeds, see what grows, and learn from what doesn’t.”
Listen to the episode here on Apple Podcast & leave a review!
Replace “But” with “And”
Frederik also shared a simple but powerful leadership tip: replace “but” with “and”. Here’s what that looks like:
Instead of, “That’s a good idea, but we don’t have the resources,”
Try, “That’s a good idea, and let’s figure out how to make it happen.”
It seems small, but language matters. “But” shuts doors. “And” keeps possibilities alive. When leaders use “and,” they signal to their team that ideas are worth exploring. This is what fostering radical optimism is all about. It’s a belief that we can make things better, not just hope they improve on their own.
What Is Radical Optimism Anyway?
Radical optimism is more than just being positive—it’s an active mindset. It’s asking: “What’s possible now?” even when the situation feels uncertain.
To illustrate, he shared a personal story: during the California wildfires, Frederik and his family had to evacuate as flames approached their home. They couldn’t control the wildfires, but they could control how they responded. Instead of focusing on loss, they used it as a chance to reimagine how they lived—growing their own food, collecting rainwater, and harnessing solar energy.
This mindset applies to leadership. When your team faces a challenge, what’s your response? Are you paralyzed by fear, or do you look for the opportunities within the challenge? The leaders who succeed are the ones who see uncertainty as an invitation to act.
Listen to the episode here on Apple Podcast & leave a review!
Training Your Mind for Openness and Curiosity
Most of us love our routines. We take the same route to work, eat at the same restaurants, and talk to the same people. It feels safe and familiar, but it’s the enemy of innovation. That’s why Frederik challenges leaders to build
Take a different route to work.
Try a food you’ve never eaten before.
Have a conversation with someone new.
These small shifts might seem insignificant, but they train your mind to embrace the unfamiliar. Over time, you’ll get better at seeing opportunities where others see roadblocks—and that’s how leaders stay future-ready.
Human Qualities That Drive Innovation
Frederik’s biggest insight is this: innovation doesn’t come from processes or frameworks—it comes from people. The most innovative teams share deeply human qualities: curiosity, empathy, openness, a sense of experimentation, and optimism.
As leaders, it’s easy to get caught up in strategy, tools, and resources. But if you’re not fostering these five human qualities, you’re missing the point. Frederik summed it up perfectly: “The question isn’t what you want to achieve. It’s who you want to be.”
So, who do you want to be as a leader? Are you showing up with curiosity, optimism, and openness? Are you creating a culture where ideas grow instead of dying on arrival?
Ready to Create the Future?
In a world where change is constant and uncertainty feels inevitable, Frederik Pferdt’s strategies offer a refreshing reminder: You don’t need all the answers—you need the right mindset. Leaders who embrace curiosity, experimentation, and radical optimism create cultures where innovation thrives and possibilities emerge.
Listen to the episode here on Apple Podcast & leave a review!
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