Ever wondered what goes in Co:cubed’s weekly team wrap-ups?

Aside from the usual, “Can you see my screen?” moments, we’re all about sparking ideas, sharing insights, and learning together. From podcasts and TED Talks to surprising inspiration from shows like Bluey (yes, really), our wrap-ups are a treasure trove of creativity.

As we kick off 2025, we thought we’d review some of last year’s best moments. Here are our top takeaways and lessons that fuel our innovation journey. Enjoy!

1. The Power of Mindset: Discipline and Motivation

Listen here.

Why is it that some people seem effortlessly disciplined while others struggle? From the Pygmalion Effect Podcast, we explored the fascinating Discipline Equation:

Discipline = Enjoyment of the Goal – Psychological Cost of Pursuing the Goal.

This equation highlights the importance of balancing what drives us (our “why”) with the mental effort required to achieve it. Whether it’s personal or professional, staying rooted in your “why” is the key to powering through even the toughest days.

Key Lessons:

• The “Why” is Critical: Purpose drives progress. Whether it’s your individual purpose or your company’s mission, staying connected to the reason behind your work helps you maintain focus.
  
  

• Action Breeds Discipline:  Don’t wait for motivation. Build momentum through small, consistent actions—like setting out your running kit the night before a workout.

   

• Small Tweaks, Big Gains: Reflect on what’s working and make small tweaks to keep improving.

   

• Discipline Over Motivation: Motivation ebbs and flows, but steady discipline sustains progress, especially when inspiration is low.

Challenge:

1. Write down your personal “why” and your team’s or organisation’s “why.” Keep these visible as a daily reminder of your goals.

    

2. Identify one small habit or system you can implement today to make achieving your goals easier. Start small but be consistent.

2. The Art of Giving Feedback: A Foundation for Growth

Listen here.

High-quality feedback is a skill worth mastering. It’s not just about giving constructive criticism but about fostering a culture of trust, curiosity, and continuous improvement. Kaizen, anyone?

Key Lessons:

• Clarity is key: Effective feedback is timely, specific, and based on facts. Avoid vague comments and focus on actionable advice.
  
  

   

• Ask the Right Questions: Feedback isn’t a monologue; it’s a two-way dialogue. Asking questions like, “What was your thought process here?” helps create understanding and shared ownership of improvement.
  
  

   

• Start with Wins: Balance is critical. Research shows a ratio of six pieces of positive feedback for every one piece of constructive feedback can make feedback land better.
  
  

   

• Focus on Progress: Big, overwhelming lists of “to-dos” demotivate. Instead, focus on one or two achievable changes that can lead to quick wins.

Challenge:
Commit to giving one piece of actionable feedback to a colleague. Focus on making it fact-based, constructive, and balanced.

3. Innovation, Big and Small

Watch here.

China’s transformation from a country of scarcity to a powerhouse of technological innovation is nothing short of remarkable. Drawing from China’s innovation strategy, we saw how small changes build resilience and long-term value.

Key Lessons:

• Collaboration is key: China’s success stems from its ‘whole nation’ (Juguo) approach. Innovation ecosystems thrive on collaboration. Seek out diverse voices—from academics to policymakers—to strengthen your network.

   

• Adaptation Over Disruption: Instead of chasing groundbreaking inventions, China excels at scaling existing technologies for practical use.

   

• Empowering Local Innovation: Through its “Mayor Economy,” local governments actively invest in startups, removing barriers and building ecosystems to support their success. Organisations can utilise this to adapt and endure. 

Challenge:
Look at one process or project in your work and identify a small, practical improvement you can implement. Share the idea with your team and see if they have additional insights.

 Turn Insights into Impact!

Use these lessons to inspire bold decisions, refine your goals, and push boundaries. Growth comes from curiosity, collaboration, and the courage to question the status quo.

Let’s make 2025 the year we turn ideas into impact and ambition into reality.