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One of the most vexing dilemmas that stable corporations…

“One of the most vexing dilemmas that stable corporations face when they seek to rekindle growth by launching new businesses is that their internal schools of experience have offered precious few courses in which managers could have learned how to launch new disruptive businesses. In many ways, the…” quote by Clayton M. Christensen
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““One of the most vexing dilemmas that stable corporations face when they seek to rekindle growth by launching new businesses is that their internal schools of experience have offered precious few courses in which managers could have learned how to launch new disruptive businesses. In many ways, the managers that corporate executives have come to trust the most because they have consistently delivered the needed results in the core businesses cannot be trusted to shepherd the creation of new growth. Human resources executives in this situation need to shoulder a major burden. They need to monitor where in the corporation’s schools of experience the needed courses might be created, and ensure that promising managers have the opportunity to be appropriately schooled before they are asked to take the helm of a new-growth business. When managers with the requisite education cannot be found internally, they need to ensure that the management team, as a balanced composite, has within it the requisite perspectives from the right schools of experience.””

Clayton M. Christensen

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Corporations struggle to grow because they lack internal training for disruptive ventures, and trusted managers from core businesses may not be suited to lead new growth initiatives.

In simple terms: Companies need new skills and diverse perspectives to launch disruptive businesses.

Key Takeaway

Create dedicated learning programs and assemble balanced teams.

Themes

innovation leadership learning growth corporate culture

Mood

strategic reflective

Type

advice analytical

When to use this quote

  • corporate strategy workshops
  • cross‑functional task forces
  • external hires for new ventures

Key Concepts

disruptive innovation skill gaps team composition

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can firms develop internal talent for disruption?
  • What balance between internal and external expertise is optimal?
A Different Perspective

Internal expertise may be insufficient; external hires can be costly and culturally mismatched.

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