110: How Gensler is Architecting Innovation Culture

In this episode, we take an unconventional route by conversing with an architecture firm, Gensler, to delve into their unique approach to constructing an innovation culture. My guests, Amanda Ramos, the Innovation Director and Principal at Gensler, and Lis Russo, the Culture Strategy Leader, are indeed the architects of the innovation culture at their firm. Together, we navigate the complexities of our ever-evolving work environments, from the office to the home and everything in-between. We explore how culture still significantly shapes our work, regardless of the geographical context. Amanda, who has spent 20 years devising organizational programs, campus master plans, and innovation campaigns for a wide range of companies, takes us on a fascinating journey of creating innovation labs. She shares her experiences of working with a client for two years to architect an operational model for innovation that transcended the boundaries of physical space. On the other hand, Lis brings to the table her focus on humanizing work and sparking innovation. Drawing from her experiences in building culture strategies and innovation capability frameworks, Lis enlightens us on the pivotal components of an innovation-friendly culture - authenticity, autonomy, curiosity, imagination, thrill, and hope. Join us as we dissect the intriguing concept of experiential storytelling and its role in facilitating idea acceptance from the war room to the boardroom. We also touch upon the importance of maintaining the energy and collaboration throughout this journey. We delve into Gensler's work culture indicator that outlines the different organizational components shaping one's experience of culture. This episode promises to be a rich source of knowledge, offering you a fresh perspective on constructing an innovation culture that empowers employees and drives creativity.