Episode 71: Reinventing for Success in a Disruptive World with Nadya&Aidan in WAZOKU live podcast

Reinvent or Be Reinvented: The Urgency of Permanent Reinvention

In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva joins Aidan McCullen for a deep dive into the mindset, systems, and strategies that underpin the age of permanent reinvention. Broadcasting live during a Wazoku innovation series, the conversation maps out why companies—and individuals—can no longer afford to wait for a crisis before evolving

Drawing from decades of global research, corporate case studies, and lived experience, Dr. Nadya lays out a blueprint for thriving in chaos: from vertical S-curves and disappearing companies to why budgets, systems, and leadership must radically transform. This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a wake-up call for the business world. If your organization isn’t reinventing every 1–2 years, you’re already falling behind.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll learn how the industrial-era mindset of stability is collapsing—and why outdated tools like annual planning and five-year strategies are becoming liabilities. Dr. Nadya introduces the six-pillar framework of reinvention, explains how the “Phoenix mindset” applies to business life cycles, and outlines why companies now need to reinvent faster than their own budget cycles. Whether you’re leading a transformation or facing burnout from constant change, this episode shows you how to build reinvention-ready systems that turn disruption into your competitive edge.

Who This Is For

• Executives and senior leaders seeking to future-proof their companies
• Strategists and change agents navigating declining business models
• Consultants working inside disrupted industries
• HR and operations professionals redesigning org systems
• Anyone facing the reality of AI, layoffs, or rapid transformation

3 Key Takeaways from This Episode

1. The S-Curve Is Now a Trampoline

What used to be a slow climb to the top is now a vertical spike. Dr. Nadya explains why business cycles have collapsed from 75 years to under 6—and how you must design for continuous reinvention to survive the freefall.

2. You Don’t Get Tired from Reinvention—You Get Tired from Doing It Wrong

If you’re exhausted by change, it’s likely because you’re reinventing without a system. Nadya introduces the six pillars of reinvention and explains how to embed capabilities into budgeting, team design, and production itself.

3. Innovation Is Not Enough: Build a Portfolio of Reinvention

Dr. Nadya reveals why true reinvention goes beyond product innovation—mapping nine types of renewal from business model shifts to ecosystem reinvention. The key? Treat reinvention like a diversified investment portfolio, reviewed every 90 days.

Resources Mentioned

• Reinvention Summit
• Chief Reinvention Officer Handbook
• Six Pillars of Reinvention Framework - available in the Chief Reinvention Officer Handbook
• Harvard Business Review: “Highly Skilled Professionals Want Your Work, Not Your Job”
• Research on Gallup global workforce engagement
• S-Curve and Portfolio Thinking models from Reinvention Academy - available in the book