Progress and pioneers: turning ideas into impact
Series 15, The Green Room podcast
The future isn’t built by accident. Every breakthrough starts with someone willing to think differently.
So how does curiosity become action, and ideas become lasting impact? In this series, we learn from the people brave enough to think big and explore the role we can all play in creating progress.
What makes innovation worth backing?
Having the best idea doesn’t mean anybody is ready to commit to it. A breakthrough technology. A new direction for a business. Both can inspire enthusiasm – but getting the support of people, time or money is another matter.
The ideas with the greatest potential rarely come with the greatest certainty. Moving too early could waste scarce resources. While waiting can make a decision safer but the opportunity smaller. Behind each decision is a balance between belief and evidence, optimism and discipline, and opportunity and risk. So how do we determine what's worth backing?
In this episode, we explore what makes an idea worth backing before success is guaranteed. What evidence is enough and which risks are worth taking? And do we invest in the ideas that we think will shape the future, or wait until the future tells us which ideas definitely will?
See more or listen to the podcast now.
What does the data say?
Seeing what comes next is only the beginning. Are organisations creating the right conditions for new ideas to thrive? The data below reveals the gap between recognising the need to adapt and making meaningful progress.
Let’s make this work.
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Most firms see the importance of increasing their ability to adapt at speed, but few feel they are leading the way
recognise the importance
say they are making some progress
say they are making great progress
Source: Deloitte (2026), Global Human Capital Trends 2026
What drives progress?
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