Bottom-Up Innovation with Michael Bergmann | Nike to Changemaker

(un)conversations podcast | S1.E19 - Bottom-Up Innovation with Michael Bergmann | Nike to Changemaker

Hosted by Dr. Alison, this podcast is for the bold, curious, and (un)apologetically (un)conventional. If you’re seeking comfort zones or the safety of the stubborn quo — this isn’t your show.What if the best innovations don’t come from the top—but from the ground up?In this powerful episode, I sit down with Michael Bergmann, Founder of IncubatorU and author of Innovation from the Ground Up. With a storied 30-year career at Nike, Michael shares how real innovation happens when the "doers" are empowered—not just the decision-makers.

Through his signature 5-Step Innovation Methodology — Imagine, Identify, Initiate, Implement, and Integrate — Michael challenges outdated corporate structures and shows us how to build from the inside out. We explore what it means to lead with an (un)wavering vision, take an (un)charted path, and embrace an (un)conventional mindset. From testing shoes as a teenager to building global development teams and reshaping the performance tennis category at Nike, Michael’s journey is a masterclass in fearless innovation.

---In this episode, you’ll discover:

🎾 The behind-the-scenes story of transforming Nike’s tennis division

🎾 How to use design thinking and cross-functional collaboration to solve real-world problems

🎾 The birth of Teddy ToeDragger machine—yes, really

🎾 What Formula 1 tires taught Michael about building elite tennis shoes

🎾 The founding of IncubatorU, an employee-led innovation engine for lasting change

🎾 How innovation can (and should) start at the foundation of any organization

---

Whether you're a creative leader, startup founder, or corporate intrapreneur, this conversation will reframe how you view progress—and give you the tools to drive it.💬 Share your biggest takeaway in the comments below!

Felt the (UN)word Effect?✅ Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this inspired you to lead differently—because real change starts from the ground up.

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---Learn more about Dr. Alison Schmidt, CEO of Unconvention & Host of (un)conversations podcast

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