29 | Accelerate Decision-Making: Innovate through the Unknown [with Atif Rafiq]

Chain of Learning: Empowering Continuous Improvement Change Leaders

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Do you ever feel like you're stuck between chaos and bureaucracy, unable to break free from the status quo?

You are probably facing a common challenge that other leaders and change practitioners experience: how to navigate uncertainty while trying to drive innovation and agility in your organization.

In this episode, Atif Rafiq, seasoned C-suite executive and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “Decision Sprint” shares what he’s learned about leading through ambiguity to drive digital and cultural transformations at global companies like Amazon, McDonald’s, and MGM Resorts.

Atif breaks down the Decision Sprint framework to help you bring clarity into the unknown by moving problem-solving upstream, enabling you and your teams to make faster, smarter decisions that drive meaningful change and innovation.

Uncertainty IS what most organizations are facing today. Relying on outdated leadership models and approaches to problem-solving keeps you trapped facing the same issues year after year without real progress.

Tune into this episode and gain insights how you can break free from this cycle and embrace new approaches to navigate ambiguity and empower you to innovate and lead by making decisions faster, smarter, and better.

YOU’LL LEARN:

• The difference between boring problems vs. creative problems and how to bring authentic interest to solving the “boring problems” in your organization
• The risk in relying solely on “known” solutions instead of exploring innovative ways to solve problems
• Why organizations need to start thinking more upstream rather than focusing on what’s in front of them
• What the Decision Sprint Model is and how you can use it to get ahead of problems and move problem-solving upstream
• The difference between bureaucracy and chaos and how to avoid being stuck between the two

Enter for chance to win a signed copy of "Decision Sprint". Register by November 8th: ChainOfLearning.com/29 or https://kbjanderson.com/giveaways/decision-sprint/

ABOUT MY GUEST:

Atif Rafiq has reshaped industries and generated billions in revenue for some of the world's leading companies including McDonald’s, Volvo, MGM Resorts, Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL. He's the CEO of Ritual and the Wall Street bestselling author of "Decision Sprint: The new way to Innovate into the Unknown and move from Strategy into Action."

IMPORTANT LINKS:

• Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/29
• Connect with Atif Rafiq: www.linkedin.com/in/atif1/
• Order your copy of “Decision Sprint” by Atif Rafiq: www.decisionsprint.com/book
• Check out my website: KBJAnderson.com/
• Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjanderson

TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:

[2:24] Atif’s massive career shift and the challenge of changing the culture of a large established organization
[5:51] The risk of staying in a safe zone rather than navigating through ambiguity

[7:52] Boring problems versus creative problems and an example of the importance of taking interest in a “boring” problem
[14:14] The Decision Sprint Model and how it helps move thinking and problem solving upstream
[16:21] The role of experimentation in problem solving and the benefits of collaboration to gain insights
[20:10] Concept of alignment and how it connects exploration and decision making
[25:57] Difference between bureaucracy and chaos
[29:11] Upstream and downstream work and creating different systems for managing both

Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/

Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask