Nathan Furr, Professor of Innovation and Strategy at INSEAD, has dedicated his research to understanding how organizations can not just survive, but succeed in volatile markets. Throughout his career and for his book The Upside of Uncertainty he worked with highly innovative, fast-scaling companies including a number of biotech ventures.
Nathan Furr is directing Leading Digital Transformation and Innovation and Innovation in the Age of Disruption and Building Digital Partnerships and Ecosystems
Nathan's latest co-authored book, “The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown” (Harvard Business Review Press, July 2022), which was ranked #2 of the 10 best business books of 2022 by Forbes and a top book business leaders are recommending in Bloomberg, is based on his “Uncertainty Capability” framework which he teaches to organizations during advisory meetings, executive education courses, interactive workshops and customized keynotes.
Currently, he leads a new initiative, the Uncertainty Science Center, aimed at discovering the frameworks and tools for navigating the age of uncertainty.
Why should this session matter to you as a leader?
Turning uncertainty into an asset: Nathan Furr's session will help you reframe uncertainty as a tool for growth, providing concrete strategies drawn from his work with companies like Vivet Therapeutics to foster innovation and adaptability in your team.
Building a culture of experimentation: Nathan emphasizes the importance of calculated risk and agile thinking. His insights will show how fostering a culture of experimentation can accelerate breakthroughs while managing biotech-specific risks.
Developing adaptive strategies: Furr’s "strategy as creation" approach offers a way to not just react to change, but to shape it, ensuring that your leadership stays ahead in a dynamic and competitive life sciences landscape.
Nathan Furr’s research offers more than just theory but includes real-world strategies for navigating uncertainty, balancing long-term vision with immediate challenges, and turning disruptive innovation into a competitive advantage. He has developed frameworks that equip leaders to face the realities of scaling businesses in an environment where both the science and the market can shift overnight.
McKinsey published an interesting article about Nathan's work and "The Upside of Uncertainty" which you can read here.