In this episode of iNNOVATION Insights, Dr. Eulanda Sanders sits down with Barbara Salopek, MBA, MS — Innovation Strategist, TEDx Speaker, Founder of Vinco Innovation, and author of Future-Fit Innovation.
Barbara shares why most AI and innovation initiatives fail — and it is not because of technology. It is because of people, culture, and leadership. Drawing from 20+ years of international innovation leadership across Europe,
Barbara explains why innovation must work on three levels:
• The individual
• The team
• The organization
Skip one, and the transformation stays superficial.
⚫In this conversation, you will learn:
• Why innovation is a marathon, not a sprint
• The hidden human blocks that stall AI adoption
• How functional fixedness limits creativity
• Why psychological safety is essential for transformation
• The role of diversity in driving better innovation outcomes
• Why leadership alignment determines success or failure
• How to build an innovation muscle bottom-up and top-down
Barbara also shares her journey as a female founder building a global innovation consultancy from scratch — and what it truly takes to tolerate uncertainty and lead through complexity. If you are a business leader, academic, entrepreneur, strategist, or executive navigating AI, sustainability, or culture change — this episode will challenge and equip you. Innovation is not a department. It is a system.
⚫Connect with Barbara
◾LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-salopek/
◾TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@barbaraceovinco
◾Vinco Website: https://vinco.no/
◾Personal Website: barbarasalopek.com/
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