Hardware Podcasts

Exploring Innovation as a Mindset with Chuck Swoboda

Manufacturing Happy Hour · 24 Mar 2020 · 47m

What this episode covers

Chuck Swoboda, former CEO of Cree, Inc. and host of Innovators on Tap, discusses his book The Innovator’s Spirit and his definition of innovation as solving a problem and creating value, distinct from invention. He explains how Cree balanced manufacturing rigor with innovation by using parallel R&D and secret teams, and advises large companies like Rockwell Automation to create separate, high-stakes teams for breakthrough work. Swoboda also shares career advice, urging early-career professionals to seize opportunities rather than manage their careers, and emphasizes the importance of leadership through influence and honest feedback.

Most relevant to

established companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Cree, Inc., Marquette University, Rockwell Automation, Milwaukee Brewing Company, American Family Insurance, Google Ventures, Ford, General Electric, Philips, Osram
Also
Innovators on Tap, The Innovator’s Spirit

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