The DNA of Impact
Engaging, exciting, and inspiring. That was the energy at Nexus ’24, our annual technology leadership event. This year we came together in colorful Miami to celebrate innovation and exceptional technology execution over two days of world-class content. This year's theme was a celebration of the common threads in effective leaders - the Direction, Nerve, and Agency that come together to create impact. Here are some of the highlights and takeaways from our time together in Miami.
#1: Only human
We're used to using “only human” in a negative way, as a shorthand for, “I messed up, but you can’t really blame me.” But what if “only human” was a strength? Throughout the event, the theme of building technology to solve human problems came through. We heard stories about eliminating human error to improve job safety, keeping the lights and power on for customers in rural areas, and making government services more easily accessible to our community’s most vulnerable. As technology advances, it’s humanizing organizations and leadership, and it was heartening to see how often leaders emphasized the human impact driving their work.
#2: Regardless of industry, challenges are similar
We are more alike than we are different. Nexus ’24 brought together executives from industries spanning mobility, healthcare, manufacturing, consumer products, air travel, entertainment, and more. The problems they shared are more universal than you might think. While industry expertise does matter, it comes in the form of a deep understanding of your customers and their pain points. Many of the event’s most powerful anecdotes came from old, complex industries and verticals that are growing through technology and innovation in spite of headwinds. Progress through the lens of innovation is not just for 21st century platform companies.
#3: Trust and vulnerability are key
Honesty, vulnerability, and trust are key components to achieving impact. Launch president Tammy Soares spoke poignantly about the very real fear we all feel at times, and how we have to be brave and act in spite of it. Before we can solve any problem with technology, we have to be vulnerable enough to admit what the problem is. As leaders, that means being willing to admit, “I don’t have all the answers,” or, “I’m not as far along as I think I should be.” Trust clears the way for work that moves the needle. It’s the opposite of activity for the sake of looking good or checking the box.
#4: Innovators are translators, not just communicators
Enterprise innovation is a team effort. Transparency, change management, and ongoing conversations are essential for success. First-person stories from Bill Jacobs, Head of Strategy and Innovation at CSX Corporation and Jaison Busby, Information Officer - Business Relationship Management & Enterprise Innovation at DTE Energy brought this home. In Jaison’s words: “I wear many hats, I can be in a room as the liaison for a business unit, or I can be in the room as the innovation lead." Bill shared that, “We've set our team up so we have a technical arm but also a business partner arm, so we have a sales group who are selling our ideas within the organization.” Knowing how and what to communicate to different groups is an important part of the innovator’s role within the enterprise.
#5: You can’t beat a sunset cruise
With all the talk of building digital experiences, it felt great to come out from behind our screens and connect in person in a beautiful setting. It’s said that “a change in perspective is worth 80 IQ points”, and the physical spaces at Nexus ’24 certainly set the tone for the shifts and breakthroughs that happened there.
We’re grateful to everyone who joined us this year, to all who shared their insights and experiences, and to the innovators and bold leaders who are speaking truth to power and making an impact.
