The Book: Do Bigger Things
Today’s world is defined by industry disruption, technological volatility, and pressing global challenges. It is an era of exceptional opportunity for those that can pursue powerful ideas. Yet, too many leaders are trapped by simple innovation practices that only deliver incremental results.
Do Bigger Things introduces a powerful alternative: the ability to bring together people, organizations, and technology in Ecosystem Innovations that take advantage of a complex world. Drawing on real-world stories—from global corporations to grassroots ventures—this book provides the big-picture mindset and step-by-step guide you need to design more powerful solutions, break through innovation ceilings, and achieve truly game-changing endeavors.
Unleash your potential to do bigger things!
An inspiring guide for doing more in a complex and fast changing world
In today’s changing world, where business leaders navigate industry disruption, entrepreneurs struggle to push beyond initial success, and activists tackle hard challenges like climate change, there is a need for a more powerful way to do innovation. Too many innovators are trapped by the limits of common innovation practices. The way we’ve been taught to create for the past two decades is failing us.
It’s time for a paradigm shift. To unlock the secrets to doing bigger things, this book introduces the pioneering concept of ecosystem innovation. Drawing on their experience with a range of innovators, from Fortune Global 100 companies to local entrepreneurs in Nepal, authors Dan McClure and Jennifer Wilde present remarkable stories and actionable insights for achieving more with innovation.
With this step-by-step guide, you’ll acquire the big-picture mindset and capabilities you need to outmaneuver fast-moving competitors and break through the ceiling on innovation impact . Do Bigger Things offers a practical way to set bolder goals, understand harder challenges, and design more powerful solutions.
Shatter the notion that game-changing endeavors are beyond your reach, your organization’s capabilities, or your community’s grasp. The time to do bigger things is now.
Awards and Praise for "Do Bigger Things"
“I loved the book—it made me want to do bigger things! For those who know that the change they want to see in the world requires a whole new ecosystem change, Do Bigger Things gives you the essential tools to bring it all together and succeed.”
—KASSIA ECHAVARRI -QUEEN, director of community investment at the Wikimedia Foundation
“What do launching a dynamic company, responding to a Himalayan disaster, and putting together a community-based musical have in common? They all require ecosystem innovation. Dan McClure and Jennifer Wilde provide the practical and inspiring playbook for mobilizing this powerful form of innovation to build a better future.”
—RICHARD FLORIDA, author of The Rise of the Creative Class
“Required reading for anyone who wants to claim disruptive opportunities or shape powerful solutions.”
—MARK JOHNSON, cofounder of Innosight and author of Lead from the Future
The Authors
Entrepreneurs - Innovators - Thought Leaders
Dan McClure
Dan has worked for more than forty years to empower bold innovators: global organizations facing threats of obsolescence, pioneering businesses in fast-changing markets, and passionate activists tackling hard challenges like climate change and humanitarian crisis response. He has been a hands-on thought leader, developing new tools and practices that make it possible for innovators to run into burning buildings looking for exceptional opportunities. His innovation methodologies and agile enterprise design have been applied across diverse fields including international aid, government, finance, retail, media, education, energy, and health.
Jennifer Wilde
Jennifer is an accomplished innovator working on the global stage. She has built an international network of innovation labs, supported innovators from idea to scale, and shaped multimillion-dollar innovation programs. With more than fifteen years of experience in driving change in challenging, volatile contexts, Jennifer has a uniquely practical perspective on what it takes to identify, execute, and succeed with game-changing ideas.
She enjoys contributing practical insights and actionable strategies to build innovative ventures and support others who want to think big, take action, and achieve their greatest potential.
Enthusiastic Reviews and Awards for "Do Bigger Things"
“I'm 69. I've studied innovation for decades. This is an order of magnitude above the norm for the subject.” - RICHARD K.
- MAIA G.
“If an organization, team, or professionals are going to thrive, DO BIGGER THINGS, by Dan McClure and Jennifer Wilde presents a compelling case for how to manage and support genuine innovation.”
- LOUISE F.
“An engaging and very practical read to rethink and change how we approach complex problems. More important than ever for all companies, from start-ups to global players.”
- LAURA LESUM, getAbstract Book Award juror
getAbstract Book Award Shortlist
National Indie Excellence Awards Winner
Amazon #1 Best Seller
Editor's Pick
In this inviting and pragmatic guide, McClure and Wilde share a fresh way of thinking about innovation and launching new projects: ecosystem innovation.
The authors urge readers to think of themselves as “choreographers”—that is, someone who “applies big-picture thinking, builds connections, and does some rule-breaking”—guiding a team’s disparate actors in accomplishing those “bigger things” of the title.
5 Stars
Do Bigger Things by Dan McClure and Jennifer Wilde expertly captures what happens in real-life situations. I loved how it shows how innovations do not work in isolation but in an ecosystem of factors that also must be addressed.
The prowess in narration and the warm tone adopted also make the reader receptive to the message.
4 Stars
A lucid introduction to ecosystem-oriented business management practices, Do Bigger Things is a leadership text that’s designed to respond to the challenges of a fast-paced digital world.
Its modular chapters, illustrated graphs, and digressive text bubbles are accessible suggestions of the virtues of ecosystem thinking in miniature.
Enthusiastic Reviews and Awards for "Do Bigger Things"
“I'm 69. I've studied innovation for decades. This is an order of magnitude above the norm for the subject.” - RICHARD K.
- MAIA G.
“If an organization, team, or professionals are going to thrive, DO BIGGER THINGS, by Dan McClure and Jennifer Wilde presents a compelling case for how to manage and support genuine innovation.”
- LOUISE F.
“An engaging and very practical read to rethink and change how we approach complex problems. More important than ever for all companies, from start-ups to global players.”
- LAURA LESUM, getAbstract Book Award juror
Featured Conversations and Insights
Highlights from recent conversations and resources examining how leaders navigate complexity and drive meaningful innovation.
The Jens Heitland Show
Human Innovation News
Dan and Jenny talk about the challenges and opportunities shaping ecosystem and systems innovation in a rapidly changing world.
Product Mastery Now with Chad McAllister
Dan discusses why Product Managers must evolve into Innovation Choreographers and how storytelling shapes the future of product and innovation leadership.
Get the Book
A practical guide for ecosystem innovators offering a clear, big-picture view of how innovation works in a changing world.
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