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Phil McKinney

Phil McKinney is an innovator, podcaster, author, and speaker. He is the retired CTO of HP. Phil's book, Beyond The Obvious, shares his expertise and lessons learned on innovation and creativity.

The Innovation Crisis: How We're Stifling Our Children's Creative Potential—And How to Set It Free

A 12-year-old entrepreneur highlights the gap between education and innovation. What happens when we value answers over inquiry, and how might we unlock our children's natural creative abilities?

The Innovation Crisis: How We're Stifling Our Children's Creative Potential—And How to Set It Free

The 36-Hour Lesson: When Reliability Made My Innovation Career

The flashiest ideas don't change the world—follow-through does. While we worship creative geniuses, reliable warriors who execute transform industries.

While we worship creative geniuses, reliable warriors who execute transform industries.

Intellectual Generosity: Why Sharing Ideas Creates More Value Than Protecting Them

Giving away your best thinking generates unexpected returns. Your best ideas create more value when shared freely rather than guarded jealously.

Sharing your ideas returns in greater value than holding on to them.

Dangerous Ideas: Why We Fear Innovation (And Why We Shouldn't)

The psychology behind innovation resistance runs deep. History reveals bizarre examples of once "dangerous" technologies we now take for granted. Our fear-first reaction might be our most human trait — for better and worse.

Dangerous Ideas: Why We Fear Innovation (And Why We Shouldn't)

Moving to Substack: A New Chapter

Innovation veteran Phil McKinney launches "Studio Notes" on Substack—revealing untold stories from 30 years of innovation leadership. What really happens in Fortune 100 boardrooms? Discover raw wisdom from failures and successes. Experience innovation's human journey as lived, not taught.

Moving to Substack: A New Chapter

Digital Iron Curtains: When Tech Walls Create Better Innovations

In today's tech war, governments believe walls and restrictions maintain technological supremacy. History has shown that innovation thrives under constraints and restrictions accelerate technological progress.

Digital Iron Curtains: When Tech Walls Create Better Innovations

Innovation Debt: The Comfort Zone Trap

Why do organizations march in circles like army ants, even when it leads to their doom? The hidden cost of innovation debt goes far beyond efficiency - it rewires corporate DNA, turning the comfort zone into a cage. Breaking free starts with a simple question: why?

Innovation Debt: The Comfort Zone Trap

Fear Steals Your Best Ideas

Fear isn't just an emotion - it's secretly sabotaging your success. Discover the real-world cost of playing it safe and learn practical ways to stop fear from killing your best ideas. Warning: This article might make you actually do that thing you've been putting off.

Fear Steals Your Best Ideas

Innovation Begins When We Question Everything

Imagine unlocking your potential by seeing the world anew. A beginner's mind can spark creativity and innovation. Let go of fixed ideas and embrace fresh perspectives. This journey can transform your thinking and lead to remarkable breakthroughs.

Innovation Begins When We Question Everything

Is Humanity's Dependence on Technology Good Or Bad?

Humanity has created a dependency on technology, which can significantly enhance problem-solving while eroding thinking skills. The key lies in the balanced, mindful use of technology to complement rather than supplant critical thinking and cognitive skills.

Is Humanity's Dependence on Technology Good Or Bad?