Brightly colored book cover with a geometric pattern. The title reads The Illusion of Innovation: Escape "Efficiency" and Unleash Radical Progress.

The Illusion of Innovation: Escape “Efficiency” and Unleash Radical Progress

There's a problem with innovation inside of big companies. And it's not what you think. Corporations are better managed than ever, but they're less capable of delivering the breakthroughs that change our world for the better. Big companies are too often focused on efficiency instead of resiliency. They're optimized for safety and predictability, for maintenance of the status quo. Their focus on capital efficiency leads them to engage in an illusion of innovation: activity that feels like innovation but leads to value destruction, not progress.

Hardcover and audiobook now available

Praise for

The Illusion of Innovation

  • "Parker offers a compelling roadmap for navigating the uncertainties of tomorrow, offering strategic guidance on how visionary leaders can future-proof their organizations and drive sustained success. "

    Mark Johnson, Co-Founder, Innosight, co-author of Lead From the Future

  • "The Illusion of Innovation serves as a wake-up call, revealing the potential pitfalls of this myopic focus while compelling business leaders to evolve their strategies towards new opportunities for growth."

    Mike Petit, SVP, CFO, Wabash

  • "His book is full of actionable insights, and enlightening examples from recent (and also ancient) history. It's a great guide to navigating what comes next."

    Scott Kirsner, CEO & Co-Founder, InnoLead

  • "Elliott delivers a masterclass on how venture building can be leveraged by corporations to foster entrepreneurial thinking and drive transformative change."

    Scott Dorsey, Managing Partner, High Alpha

Photo of Elliott Parker, author of The Illusion of Innovation. Elliott wears a blue sweater with a while collared shirt. 
about the author

Elliott Parker is an entrepreneur, investor, advisor, and author with a background in corporate innovation and venture building.

The Illusion of Innovation is available everywhere books and audiobooks are sold.