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Thinkers50, a leading resource for the most impactful new ideas in business management and strategy, has unveiled the nominees for its 2019 Distinguished Achievement Awards. This year’s theme – “Breaking Boundaries” – refers to both the transformative power of these thinkers’ ideas and insights, and the fact that a record number of nominees are women.

Stern Speakers is proud to count many of its thought leaders and keynote presenters among those shortlisted. Read more to see which of Stern’s thought leaders made the list.

Breakthrough Idea Award

The Prosperity Paradox – In their recent, highly acclaimed book “The Prosperity Paradox: How Innovation Can Lift Nations Out of Poverty” (HarperBusiness, January 2019), Clayton ChristensenEfosa Ojomo and Karen Dillon draw on numerous case studies to distill a radical new theory of economic development: the key to prosperity is not aid or even investment in infrastructure or education. It’s forging new markets through disruptive innovation.

New Power – Digital platforms and social media are transforming the currency of power, from the wielding of privilege and expertise to engaging with the enthusiasm of crowds, say Jeremy Heimans and Henry Timms in their revolutionary book “New Power: How Power Works in Our Hyperconnected World –and How to Make It Work for You” (Penguin Random House, Paperback, February 2019).

Digital Thinking Award

Ayanna Howard – Some people may fear robots and artificial intelligence, but Ayanna Howard of Georgia Tech is working to channel the power of AI into positive outcomes for humanity – from health care to education – while building robots that mimic human behavior and emotion.

Innovation Award

Gary Pisano – Innovation isn’t just for small startups, argues renowned growth and strategy expert Gary Pisano in his recent book, “Creative Construction: The DNA of Sustained Innovation” (Public Affairs, January 2019). Big business can be just as dynamic, but requires a strategy, the right type of innovation and a culture that can sustain dynamic change over the long run. Pisano helps companies chart their course to transformation.

Jeff DyerNathan Furr & Curtis Lefrandt – In their new book “Innovation Capital: How to Compete –-and Win – Like the World’s Most Innovative Leaders” (HBR Press, June 2019) these experts distill the key to success of the world’s leading innovators, concluding that it relies on mustering a mix of ingenuity, human resources, communication skills and personal connections, which the authors call “innovation capital.”

Leadership Award

Hal Gregersen – Does a good leader have all the answers, or does a good leader ask the right questions? In “Questions Are the Answer: A Breakthrough Approach to Your Most Vexing Problems at Work and in Life” (HarperBusiness, November 2018), leadership guru Hal Gregersen provides a new framework for arriving at innovative solutions through habitual question-asking, offering insights into how the method has succeeded at some of the world’s most productive and dynamic companies.

Thinkers50 Awards will be announced on November 18, 2019 in London.

11 Stern Experts Nominated for Thinkers50 Award was last modified: October 30th, 2024 by Meg Virag