The Art of Imperfection in Strategy

Marketing Podcast by Charles Conn

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, we interview Charles Conn. He is co-founder of Monograph Capital, a life sciences venture in London and San Francisco, and was previously CEO of Rhodes Trust in Oxford. He is the president of Patagonia and a member of the European Council for Conservation of Nature. He was the founder of his Ticketmaster-Citysearch and a partner at McKinsey & Company.

Charles is co-author of the best-selling books Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything and The Imperfectionists: Strategic Mindsets for Uncertain Times.

Important points:

Imperfection is a powerful tool for solving problems in a rapidly changing world. Rather than following traditional industry structures in pursuit of perfection, it is important to be curious, gather different perspectives, embrace uncertainty, and find solutions from unexpected sources. The right mindset for approaching this world involves thinking about strategy like art. Learning from your mistakes helps you develop new skills, abilities, and understandings. Overall, imperfection is a valuable approach to problem solving in modern business.

Questions I ask Charles Conn:

• [02:23] Speaking of changes in Patagonia, how unprecedented was that change, and how important do you think it was for the environment?
• [03:59] In the subtitle of your book, you used the term uncertain times. Are we in particularly uncertain times?
• [05:52] There are certain types of problem solving that have always intrigued me. Business leaders are faced with solving the problem of running out of cash cows. The industry is changing in such a way that the “golden goose” has to be killed and some choose to ignore it.
• [07:06] Many would agree that trying to be a perfectionist is kind of a dead end. You’ve taken it to the other extreme, which might be interpreted by using the word imperfect as something good.
• [09:44] So all good authors have a framework, and in your case six mindsets. Can you explain dragonfly eyes?
• [15:55] I think people will think about this idea you’re describing in a window of maybe 10 years. Are you talking about real time?
• [18:05] Are there attributes of this future leader who strategically solves problems in real time that they need to develop or that they think would be helpful?
• [19:41] Some companies may consider themselves part of a boring industry. So how do we acquire curiosity? How do you take people who aren’t from your industry in any shape, shape, or form to ‘why are you doing that’?
• [22:26] Do you need to change your corporate culture?

do you like this show? Click above to please leave a review iTunes please!

This episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast HubSpot Podcast Network.

HubSpot Podcast Network is the audio destination for business professionals seeking the best education and inspiration on how to grow their business.