The Architecture of Influence

Why do brilliant ideas so often fail to make it through the organisations that need them most? The problem is rarely the idea itself. Good ideas stall because organisations are political systems: places where competing priorities, hidden resistance, shifting alliances and questions of trust determine what gets attention, resources and support. In The Architecture of Influence, leadership experts Allen Morrison, Cyril Bouquet and Philippe Bonnet reveal how to navigate these forces and turn promising ideas into lasting impact. Drawing on original research with senior leaders around the world and compelling stories from organizations including LEGO, Boeing, Amazon, SpaceX, Netflix, Novo Nordisk, Samsung and Ørsted, they identify the three forces every leader needs: Adaptive Power, to build the backing that gets ideas moving; Organisational Acumen, to understand how decisions really get made; and Earned Trust, to keep people committed when the outcome is uncertain. Practical, insightful and grounded in the realities of organizational life, The Architecture of Influence is a guide to getting your ideas heard, building the support they need and creating organizations where innovation can thrive. Having a great idea is only the beginning. The real challenge is making it win.