Episode 276: Gijsbertus J.J. van Wulfen - Innovation Facilitation
This is Episode #276 of The Limitless Podcast with Nick Jonsson, and we are pleased to welcome Gijs van Wulfen, global innovation thought leader and creator of the FORTH Innovation Methodology.
In this episode, Gijs delivers a blunt truth many organisations don’t want to hear: innovation isn’t hard because of ideas — it’s hard because of trust. When leaders scare teams with “innovate or die,” people don’t accelerate… they freeze, “like a rabbit in the headlights.” Gijs unpacks why most companies innovate too late (out of fear, not ambition), why copying Silicon Valley playbooks often fails outside the US, and why real innovation needs a culture where people can try, learn, and recover without punishment.
He also breaks down what makes FORTH different: it’s not “innovation theatre” or hackathons that lead nowhere — it’s a practical journey that builds ownership by involving the whole herd, even the “slowest animals,” because when they move, the organisation moves.
If you’re serious about leading innovation that actually lands in the business (not just on slides), this episode is your wake-up call.
Connect with Gijs here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gijsvanwulfen/
🎧 Find more episodes on our website: https://nickjonsson.com/limitless-podcast