Nokia are back!

In this episode, we go beyond the usual “strategy failure” narrative and uncover a deeper truth: 👉 Strategy isn’t just logic — it’s emotion. Backed by 100+ interviews inside Nokia (2007–2013), INSEAD’s Quy Huy and Aalto University’s Timo Vuori reveal how emotion regulation — not just intelligence — determines whether organizations adapt or fail. 🎯 What You’ll Learn Why fear, denial, and attachment blinded Nokia during its decline How boards, consultants, and partners shape strategic decisions The difference between failing slowly vs. pivoting decisively Why psychological safety alone is not enough How to design a data-driven, emotionally intelligent strategy process The power of: Pre-commitment “kill criteria” Structured failure discussions Keeping multiple strategic options alive 🧠 The Big Idea Nokia didn’t just change strategy — it changed how strategy was made. Instead of: ❌ Defensive decision-making ❌ “Razzle dazzle” board presentations ❌ Emotional attachment to failing bets They moved to: ✅ Structured, iterative, data-driven strategy ✅ Open discussion of fears and risks ✅ Systematic exploration of failure scenarios ✅ Governance that regulated emotion, not suppressed it 🏢 Why This Matters Every organization today faces: AI disruption Market uncertainty Strategic blind spots This episode shows how to think clearly under pressure — and why most companies fail to do so. 🤝 Sponsored by Kyndryl This episode is sponsored by Kyndryl — helping the world’s leading organizations modernize and run mission-critical systems for faster innovation and smarter decisions. Learn more: https://www.kyndryl.com ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Sponsor Message 00:29 Nokia Pivot Setup 01:25 Meet The Researchers 04:51 Three Emotion Structures 08:50 Model And Takeaways 12:27 Designing The Process 16:21 Two Stressful Eras 21:26 Seeing Shapes Strategy 26:01 Regulation Mechanisms 29:43 Period One Board Culture 32:31 Boardroom Razzle Dazzle 33:43 Blind Spots in Software 36:53 No Plan B Commitment 38:43 Psychological Safety Limits 40:43 Precommit Kill Criteria 43:06 Routinize Failure Talk 45:39 Chairman Resets Culture 48:54 Put the Moose Out 50:46 Options Over Attachment 53:45 Emotions Shape Strategy 54:50 Final Takeaways 57:24 Nokia Legacy and Nostalgia 01:02:41 Closing Thanks and Sponsor 🔑 Key Takeaway “What you feel determines what you see — and what you see shapes your strategy.” 📌 Subscribe for More If you're interested in: Strategy under uncertainty Innovation & transformation Leadership psychology Real-world business case studies 👉 Subscribe for weekly deep dives. #Strategy #Leadership #Nokia #BusinessTransformation #Innovation