Innovation Expert: Embrace the Creative Process and Find Joy in the Unknown | JoAnn Garbin

Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

What does it take to go from nothing to something—and then scale it into meaningful impact?

I want to introduce you to someone you may not be familiar with, unless you’re in the innovation space -- JoAnn Garbin. JoAnn has led innovation teams at some of the world’s most influential companies—including Microsoft, and she is one of those rare minds who can dance between deep technical systems and the human heart of innovation. She has a 25-year track record of turning big ideas into reality and is co-author of The Insider's Guide to Innovation at Microsoft.

In this episode, we unpack how innovation isn’t some magical gift—it's a process rooted in values, shaped by principles, and fueled by the courage to face fear. JoAnn shares how divergent thinking, psychological safety, and even AI can be used to unlock new futures—not just for businesses, but for each of us as individuals. We also get into the human side of it all—her personal story of resilience, her vision for building ease in the midst of chaos, and what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself.

If you’re looking to innovate and stretch the edges of what’s possible—in work, in life, in your own path to becoming—then this one’s for you.

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