--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The paradox of innovation is this: CEO's…" description: "\"The paradox of innovation is this: CEO's often complain about lack of innovation, while workers often say leaders are hostile to new ideas.\" — Patrick ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/patrick-dixon-18818_ceo_the-paradox-of-innovation-is-this-ceo-s_300087.png" --- # The paradox of innovation is this: CEO's often complain… ![“The paradox of innovation is this: CEO's often complain about lack of innovation, while workers often say leaders are hostile to new ideas.” quote by Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/patrick-dixon-18818_ceo_the-paradox-of-innovation-is-this-ceo-s_300087.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/patrick-dixon-18818_ceo_the-paradox-of-innovation-is-this-ceo-s_300087.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/patrick-dixon-18818_ceo_the-paradox-of-innovation-is-this-ceo-s_300087.png) > “The paradox of innovation is this: CEO's often complain about lack of innovation, while workers often say leaders are hostile to new ideas.” [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaders claim they need innovation, yet their behavior can suppress it, creating a mismatch between desire and reality. **In simple terms:** Leaders want ideas but may block them. Key Takeaway Align leadership actions with innovation goals. Themes leadership innovation communication Mood frustrated hopeful reflective Type advisory analytical When to use this quote - team meetings - product development - strategic planning - feedback sessions Key Concepts organizational culture psychology change management Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders demonstrate openness to new ideas? - What structures help protect employee creativity? A Different Perspective Even well‑intentioned leaders may unintentionally stifle creativity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ceo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceo/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) [Leader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leader/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [New ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-ideas/) [Paradox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paradox/) [Workers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/workers/) ## Related quotes > [The paradox of innovation is that it is accepted as an innovation when it has become imitation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piero-scaruffi/the-paradox-of-innovation-is-that-it-is-accepted-as-an-innovation/) [Piero Scaruffi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piero-scaruffi/) > [The first mistake is believing that transformational initiatives can be accomplished through normal channels and means. This cannot be done because there are too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-moore/the-first-mistake-is-believing-that-transformational-initiatives-can/) [Geoffrey Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-moore/) > [“Getting along and being satisfied with the status quo often contribute to mediocrity and lack of innovation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/getting-along-and-being-satisfied-with-the-status-quo-often/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Of all hostile feelings, envy is perhaps the hardest to be subdued, because hardly any one owns it even to himself, but looks out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-whately/of-all-hostile-feelings-envy-is-perhaps-the-hardest-to-be-subdued/) [Richard Whately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-whately/) > [I know whenever it comes to be really dysfunctional and vile and base and hostile on screen, I'm good at that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/i-know-whenever-it-comes-to-be-really-dysfunctional-and-vile-and-base/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to assume that their president, hostile to the principles that formed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-shapiro/when-in-the-course-of-human-events-it-becomes-necessary-for-one/) [David Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-shapiro/) > [It's hardly news that the Obama administration is intensely and, in many respects, unprecedentedly hostile toward the news-gathering process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/it-s-hardly-news-that-the-obama-administration-is-intensely-and-in/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [If America is truly Israel's greatest ally, we should not be asking it to put its citizens and future at risk by forcing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-hasner/if-america-is-truly-israel-s-greatest-ally-we-should-not-be-asking-it/) [Adam Hasner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-hasner/) > [Many men without morals have attacked religion because it was contrary to their inclinations. Many wise men have despised it because it seemed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-d-holbach/many-men-without-morals-have-attacked-religion-because-it-was/) [Baron d'Holbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-d-holbach/) > [One response was given by the innkeeper when Mary and Joseph wanted to find a room where the Child could be born. The innkeeper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/one-response-was-given-by-the-innkeeper-when-mary-and-joseph-wanted/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/how-could-a-readiness-for-war-in-time-of-peace-be-safely-prohibited/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [It is easy to speak words of love, or to meditate lovingly upon those people with whom you are in harmony. But it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-ponder/it-is-easy-to-speak-words-of-love-or-to-meditate-lovingly-upon-those/) [Catherine Ponder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-ponder/) > [Dominion is a spy novel, a love story, and also I hope gives some sense of the difficulties faced by dissidents under any totalitarian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-sansom/dominion-is-a-spy-novel-a-love-story-and-also-i-hope-gives-some-sense/) [C.J. Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-sansom/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I receive something we might euphemistically call an 'inappropriately hostile' response - that is to say, more than fair criticism or even fair anger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/i-receive-something-we-might-euphemistically-call-an-inappropriately/) [Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/) ## More by Patrick Dixon > [The phrase "work-life balance" tells us that people think that work is the opposite of life. We should be talking about life-life balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/the-phrase-work-life-balance-tells-us-that-people-think-that-work-is/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [You can have the greatest strategy in the world but what is the point if no one cares?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/you-can-have-the-greatest-strategy-in-the-world-but-what-is-the-point/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [Take hold of the future or the future will take hold of you - be futurewise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/take-hold-of-the-future-or-the-future-will-take-hold-of-you-be/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [To every trend there is a counter-trend. There are a number of pendulums operating and each creates new business opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/to-every-trend-there-is-a-counter-trend-there-are-a-number-of/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [“Great wealth is usually toxic to the well-being of children and family harmony. There is no evidence that people who have great wealth are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/great-wealth-is-usually-toxic-to-the-well-being-of-children-and/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [The future of marketing belongs to honest information, accurate data and clear claims based on truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/the-future-of-marketing-belongs-to-honest-information-accurate-data/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [The key to understanding the future is one word: sustainability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/the-key-to-understanding-the-future-is-one-word-sustainability/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [When you have been close to death it makes you think about life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/when-you-have-been-close-to-death-it-makes-you-think-about-life/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [The risk of a business being hit by a low probability, high impact event is far higher than most boards realize because the number…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/the-risk-of-a-business-being-hit-by-a-low-probability-high-impact/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [In banking or insurance trust is the only thing you have to sell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/in-banking-or-insurance-trust-is-the-only-thing-you-have-to-sell/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [Volunteering is a window into the passions of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/volunteering-is-a-window-into-the-passions-of-the-soul/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [Strong ethics keep corporations healthy . Poor ethics make companies sick. Values are the immune system of every organisation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/strong-ethics-keep-corporations-healthy-poor-ethics-make-companies/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [Business strategy is the battleplan for a better future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/business-strategy-is-the-battleplan-for-a-better-future/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [The future is about emotion: reactions to events are usually far more important than the events themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/the-future-is-about-emotion-reactions-to-events-are-usually-far-more/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) > [You will learn more about the people you work with in three minutes by asking them what they do for nothing, than by working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/you-will-learn-more-about-the-people-you-work-with-in-three-minutes/) [Patrick Dixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) [Explore all 34 Patrick Dixon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/) ## More Ceo quotes > [When you're young and you have money, you become the CEO, automatically, of life, of your family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-haim/when-you-re-young-and-you-have-money-you-become-the-ceo-automatically/) [Corey Haim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-haim/) > [I took on the role of CEO, which involves directing the Management Team and overall day-to-day operations of 500.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-tsai/i-took-on-the-role-of-ceo-which-involves-directing-the-management/) [Christine Tsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-tsai/) > [I learned a lesson that I don't ever want to be a CEO.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-wilcox/i-learned-a-lesson-that-i-don-t-ever-want-to-be-a-ceo/) [Larry Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-wilcox/) > [Strategy is not a solo sport, even if you're the CEO.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-mckeown/strategy-is-not-a-solo-sport-even-if-you-re-the-ceo/) [Max McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-mckeown/) > [For any CEO that is skeptical at all: you have to create a social enterprise today!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-ahrendts/for-any-ceo-that-is-skeptical-at-all-you-have-to-create-a-social/) [Angela Ahrendts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-ahrendts/) > [I draw the line at some things. Some things I won't do for any amount of money. Like for instance, there's a couple of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-crumb/i-draw-the-line-at-some-things-some-things-i-won-t-do-for-any-amount/) [Robert Crumb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-crumb/) > [I want to share that I had and still do, and a great relationship with Angela Ahrendts. She was the CEO of Burberry. One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-e-glaser/i-want-to-share-that-i-had-and-still-do-and-a-great-relationship-with/) [Judith E. Glaser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-e-glaser/) > [If the CEO is not going to give you a fair chance, you're probably not going to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-goldsmith/if-the-ceo-is-not-going-to-give-you-a-fair-chance-you-re-probably-not/) [Marshall Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-goldsmith/) > [I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/i-have-always-said-if-there-ever-came-a-day-when-i-could-no-longer/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [Governor Romney may be running for CEO, I'm running for President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/governor-romney-may-be-running-for-ceo-i-m-running-for-president/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [Culture is what happens when the CEO isn't in the room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-collison/culture-is-what-happens-when-the-ceo-isn-t-in-the-room/) [John Collison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-collison/) > [Political journalists love graduate student intelligence, the ability to make clever allusions in seminars, and in 1999-2000 they hassled George W. Bush for not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-olasky/political-journalists-love-graduate-student-intelligence-the-ability/) [Marvin Olasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-olasky/) > [The deck is still stacked in favor of those already at the top. And there's something wrong with that. There's something wrong when CEOs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/the-deck-is-still-stacked-in-favor-of-those-already-at-the-top-and/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [While they're in WWE, we absolutely have a health and wellness policy. I'll probably always say 'we,' even though I've resigned as the CEO.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-mcmahon/while-they-re-in-wwe-we-absolutely-have-a-health-and-wellness-policy/) [Linda McMahon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-mcmahon/) > [It doesn't make much sense and it's nil premium. They're going to have co-CEOs...which is a very uncomfortable structure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sorrell/it-doesn-t-make-much-sense-and-it-s-nil-premium-they-re-going-to-have/) [Martin Sorrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sorrell/) [Browse all 668 Ceo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceo/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The paradox of innovation is this: CEO's often complain about lack of innovation, while workers often say leaders are hostile to new ideas.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Patrick Dixon" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/the-paradox-of-innovation-is-this-ceo-s-often-complain-about-lack-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ceo" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/the-paradox-of-innovation-is-this-ceo-s-often-complain-about-lack-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/patrick-dixon-18818_ceo_the-paradox-of-innovation-is-this-ceo-s_300087.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/patrick-dixon-18818_ceo_the-paradox-of-innovation-is-this-ceo-s_300087.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/patrick-dixon-18818_ceo_the-paradox-of-innovation-is-this-ceo-s_300087.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The paradox of innovation is this: CEO's often complain about lack of innovation, while workers often say…” — Patrick Dixon", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Patrick Dixon", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dixon/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The paradox of innovation is this:...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/the-paradox-of-innovation-is-this-ceo-s-often-complain-about-lack-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dixon/the-paradox-of-innovation-is-this-ceo-s-often-complain-about-lack-of/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```