We are living in times marked by accelerated technological transformation, where disruption has become the norm rather than the exception. Artificial intelligence, virtual reality, smart assistants, and interactive interfaces are now part of everyday life for many organizations. However, it’s important to emphasize that success in adopting these technologies relies not only on technical implementation, but primarily on how they are integrated within the organization—with vision, structure, and above all, a people-first focus.
Innovation is often compared to a wave—when the waters are rough, it takes foresight, readiness, and a firm, strategic stance to ride it. Catching the wave means moving ahead of the competition and opening up new horizons. But just like in any sport, having the right gear is not enough. Success also requires preparation, awareness of the environment, and the ability to adapt.
Many innovation projects fail not due to a lack of technology, but because of unresolved human and organizational barriers. Resistance to change is often fueled by fears of becoming obsolete or the mindset of “we’ve always done it this way.” The solution lies in listening to employees, involving them from the start, and positioning innovation as a helpful, relevant tool in their day-to-day work—not as a threat.
Another common phenomenon is the “eternal pilot.” Promising projects get stuck in endless testing phases, bureaucracy, legal uncertainty, or lack of priority. In these cases, it’s essential to adopt an agile experimentation strategy with small-scale tests and real users. Gathering continuous feedback allows for fast adjustments and paves the way for more confident implementation and decision-making.
The absence of clear goals also derails many initiatives. Without a defined purpose, teams lose direction and resources get spread too thin. It’s crucial to establish clear, measurable, and tangible objectives—for example, “reduce onboarding incidents by 30% within six months.” The key is maintaining focus and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Fortunately, there are clear opportunities to seize. Virtual reality training that reduces workplace accidents, AI-powered virtual assistants that ease the load on HR teams, and interactive panels that enhance user experience at events are all examples of technology delivering measurable value when applied correctly. What these solutions have in common is that they were developed based on real user needs—highlighting the importance of a design thinking approach.
Adopting methodologies like design thinking is essential for effective innovation. Empathizing with users helps uncover real challenges. Clearly defining goals ensures focus. Co-creation encourages diverse ideas and team engagement. Rapid prototyping allows for agile testing and refining before major investment. And interactive testing ensures solutions evolve based on real data. These aren’t just technical steps—they’re pillars of truly transformative innovation.
None of this is possible without developing internal capabilities. It’s vital to invest in continuous training, foster creativity, encourage critical thinking, and create a culture of lifelong learning.
Being able to ride the wave of technological disruption is now a competitive imperative. But it will only be successful if driven with responsibility, a focus on impact, and a human-centered vision. Because ultimately, it’s people who turn technology into real value.
Source: https://www.forbespt.com/surfar-na-onda-da-disrupcao-com-responsabilidade-e-visao/
