3 Unexpected Ways to Get More Innovative
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-06-01
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

4 Easy Steps to Jump-Start Your Team’s Innovation
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2018-11-19
date published: 2018-11-27
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

4 Ways Leaders Can Best Encourage Innovation
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2019-01-22
date published: 2019-01-23
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

6 Steps to Creating a Culture of Innovation
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2018-12-18
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

6 Tips from Jeff DeGraff for Creating an Ideal Workspace
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-06-21
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

7 deadly sins of business growth
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2012-09-05
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

7 Ways to Be More Creative According to the Dean of Innovation Jeff DeGraff
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2023-04-07
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

A Map for Engineering Your Next Innovation
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-08-19
date published: 2015-08-24
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

AI will never be a shortcut to wisdom
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-09-10
date published: 2025-09-17
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Americans now see the truth as relative. What comes next?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-02-16
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Americans Now See the Truth as Relative
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-08-21
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Are We Overthinking Ourselves?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-08-01
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Arguments Aren’t Bad for You, If You Know How to Disagree
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2023-08-29
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Assembling Your Innovation Advisory Board
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-08-10
date published: 2015-08-31
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Automotive innovations can help diversify Michigan economy
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-01-19
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Before There Were TED Talks, There Were Chautauquas
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-07-20
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Big Brother is using technology to watch us, but we’re also watching each other
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-07-13
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Big Speak: Our Rollercoaster World: From the Digital 2010s to the Humanistic 2020s
about: Jeff DeGraff
type: NewsArticle

Big Speak: Top 10 Keynote Speaking Topics
about: Jeff DeGraff
type: NewsArticle

Big Speak: Top Ten Guest Speakers
about: Jeff DeGraff
type: NewsArticle

Big Speak: Top Ten Motivational Speakers for Conferences and Events
about: Jeff DeGraff
type: NewsArticle

Can Creativity Be Taught?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-10-03
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Case For Ambition
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-04-12
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Changing Into Your Christmas Culture
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2012-11-27
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Class of 2013: The Graduation Speech I Didn’t Give
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2013-05-30
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Could rule changes and safer equipment save football from itself?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-08-31
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Creativity Starts in the Mess
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-05-09
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Critics Make the Best Innovation Evangelists
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-02-02
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Culture Creates the Economics of Innovation
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-08-31
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Currency Innovation: Bitcoin
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-08-28
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Currency innovations like bitcoin could render bank deregulation moot
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-04-03
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Despite politics, strides made in 2015 to break Michigan's status quo
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-12-17
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Do More With Less: The Benefits of Incremental Innovation
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-12-01
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Don’t tax robots to save jobs… they might just create new forms of employment
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-06-29
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Don’t Tax Robots to Save Jobs
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-07-17
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Driving Innovation Through Shared Values
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-08-15
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Dwelling in the Conflict
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-08-07
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Efficiency Can Kill You
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2018-02-01
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Employment for all Americans is ideal. Protectionist trade policies are not the way to do it.
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-03-06
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Employment for All Americans Is Ideal
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-08-04
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Experiments Are Not Good or Bad. There Are Good and Bad People
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2013-11-15
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Forget net neutrality, regulatory neutrality is what we really need
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-04-27
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Four Innovation Strategies to Forecast the Future
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-10-20
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Four Leadership Types and Their Attributes
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2019-02-06
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

From Brand to Brand New: How to Re-Create Your Brand
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-05-26
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

From Pizza to Pentagon: How a Domino’s Executive is Driving Innovation in the Department of Defense
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2024-07-15
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Here’s Why Improvising Works Better Than Planning
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-07-24
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

How 1 Email From the Military Started a Global Innovation Network
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-07-04
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

How Ancestry and Environment Shape the Life You Can Build
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-05-19
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

How Breakthrough Ideas Become Mainstream
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-01-18
date published: 2016-01-25
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

How Can People Become More Creative in Their Everyday Lives?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-09-27
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

How NASA is responding to increased probability of Armageddon asteroids
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-09-11
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

How Rules and Bureaucracy Breed Innovation
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-04-20
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

How to Create Better Ideas Faster
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-10-06
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

How to Develop the Next Generation of Innovators: Stop Treating Everyone the Same Way
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-01-12
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

How to Find Your Next Super Star Employee
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-11-10
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

How to Free Up Your Ability to Think Creatively
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-05-18
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

How to Jump-Start Radical Change in Your Company
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-11-17
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

How to Lead Innovation like Superheroes: Knowing When Your Strength Becomes a Weakness
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-12-22
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

How to Play the Innovation Game
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-11-30
date published: 2015-12-07
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

How to See the Future First
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-01-19
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

How to Take Advantage of Your Creativity
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2019-02-19
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

How to Turn Conflict Into Creativity
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-10-13
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

How to Weed Out Projects That Aren’t Worth Your Time
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-11-24
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

How to Win the Innovation Race
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-06-22
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

How Unlikely Partners Challenged Each Other to Innovate
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2019-01-16
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

How Your Company Can Best Leverage Different Perspectives
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2019-01-09
date published: 2019-01-11
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Igniting Innovation with Jeff DeGraff
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2022-06-24
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Innovating Innovation Strategy: Part 1
alternate name: Innovating Innovation Strategy, Part 1
alternative headline: Innovating Innovation Strategy, Part 1
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-10-13
date published: 2015-10-19
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Innovating Innovation Strategy: Part 2
alternate name: Innovating Innovation Strategy, Part 2
alternative headline: Innovating Innovation Strategy, Part 2
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-10-26
date published: 2015-11-02
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Innovating Innovation Strategy: Part 3
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-11-16
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Innovating Your Way to a Good Job
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2012-10-05
date published: 2016-04-11
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Innovation is Like the Path of Odysseus
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2013-11-15
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Innovation Starts in the Belly of the Beast
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-02-09
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Innovation The Key to Increasing Demand for Soy
about: Jeff DeGraff
publisher: Big Speak
type: NewsArticle

Innovator says Michigan doesn't need radical public transit overhaul
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-03-16
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Is a Finite Diploma Obsolete in a Fast-changing World?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-07-21
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Is the finite diploma obsolete in our fast-changing world?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-05-30
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Is this the end of marriage, capitalism, and God?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-12-08
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

It’s the Talent, Stupid
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-03-14
date published: 2016-03-21
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

It's time to rethink liberal arts education in Michigan
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-04-04
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Jeff DeGraff on Inspiring Creativity in the Workplace
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-06-28
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

July 7th – Live Q&A with 'Dean of Innovation' Jeff Degraff
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-07-01
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Let's try playing favorites to boost Michigan's economy
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-12-15
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Light Your Fire with the Sparks of Diversity
alternate name: Light Your Fire With the Sparks of Diversity
alternative headline: Light Your Fire With the Sparks of Diversity
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-12-15
date published: 2018-01-08
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Making Innovation Happen in the Most Challenging Situations
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-04-18
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Maybe We Should Build a Wall to Keep Our Talented People In
alternate name: Maybe we should build a wall to keep our talented people in
alternative headline: Maybe we should build a wall to keep our talented people in
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-03-27
date published: 2017-08-18
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Michigan has the parts to build a powerful economic engine. They just need to be connected.
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2018-02-15
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Michigan's missing the boat on its freshwater economy
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-05-28
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

New immigrants are crucial to Michigan's future
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-02-26
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Oh, the joys of screwing up
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2013-03-18
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

On the Hypocrisy of Innovators
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2013-04-01
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

On the Origin of New Ideas
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-06-19
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Open Source Innovation: What’s In and What’s Out
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-05-11
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Our Two Lives
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-05-01
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Picture This: Using Visual Aids to Inspire Creativity
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-06-15
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Positive Thinking: A Brief User’s Guide
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-03-16
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Rebalancing the Portfolio of Your Life
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2012-11-07
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Rebalancing Your Portfolio Life
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-06-29
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Recreating Your Company
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2012-08-30
date published: 2015-10-06
date published: 2015-10-13
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

See the Future First
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-08-02
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Skeptics Create True Believers in Your Innovation
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-08-24
date published: 2015-09-08
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

So, you want to be a creative genius?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2013-09-13
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Some games are over after one win or loss. Democracy is not that kind of game.
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-01-19
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

#StandTaller Movement for Women Entrepreneurs
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2018-11-01
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Teaching Your Leaders How to Learn
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-09-14
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Technology Erodes Boundary Between Personal Life and Work
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-07-24
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The 4 Most Creative Kinds of Leaders
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-06-08
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The 5 Levels of Mastering Creativity
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2019-02-13
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Age of Answers Is Over: Training Adaptive Thinkers for Modern Military Realities
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-05-23
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Alchemy of Opposites
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-09-04
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Art of Making Time for Your Biggest Ideas
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-02-01
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Best Way to Look for the Next Big Thing
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-03-23
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The Blockbuster Blunder: When Innovation Wears Hand-Me-Downs
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-10-24
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Case for Ambition
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-04-21
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Cavalry Isn’t Coming – Why You Should Take Your Destiny Into Your Own Hands
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-12-28
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Cavalry Isn’t Coming
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-12-28
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Conscious Company and Other Myths
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-02-29
date published: 2016-03-07
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Creative Power of Constructive Conflict
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2018-12-03
date published: 2018-12-19
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Good, the Bad, and the Future of Creative Collaboration
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-04-27
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The Graduation Speech I Didn’t Give
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-12-14
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Greatest Innovations Are the Ones You Don’t See
alternate name: The Greatest Innovations Are the Ones You Don't See
alternative headline: The Greatest Innovations Are the Ones You Don't See
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-09-21
date published: 2015-09-28
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Hidden Superpower of Making Something Out of Nothing
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-06-17
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Innovator’s Storybook: Creativity and the Well-Told Tale
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-05-04
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The Internet Is a Lot Less Democratic Than You Think
alternate name: The internet is a lot less democratic than you think
alternative headline: The internet is a lot less democratic than you think
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-05-18
date published: 2017-08-25
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Inverse Innovation Cycle: How Failure Becomes Success and Success Becomes Failure
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-02-16
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The Invisible Crisis that Threatens the Auto Industry
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-07-13
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The invisible employment crisis that threatens the auto industry and our economic future
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-07-06
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Key to Creating Partnerships That Work
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-10-27
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The Key to Success In 2021: Building a Creative and Innovative Culture
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2021-02-11
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Low-Risk Way to Design Breakthrough Products
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-11-03
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The Myth of Creativity On-Demand
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-03-30
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The New Rules of Innovation
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-02-23
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The Question Is The Answer
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-09-08
date published: 2015-09-21
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Secret to Becoming More Creative in Your Everyday Life
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2019-03-05
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Secret to Innovation? Ride What Moves
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2018-01-04
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Secret to Teaching Creativity at Business School
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-04-13
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The Three Realities of Innovators
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-07-27
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The Top 3 Creativity Blockers–and How to Manage Them
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-03-28
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

The Top Innovations We Should've Seen in 2014
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-12-18
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The Unlikely Source of Your Next Big Breakthrough
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-07-13
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The Upside of Incompetency: Making Weaknesses Work For You
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-12-15
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The Wisdom of the Rule of Three
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-07-06
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

The World is Your Office: The Pleasure of an Idea Space
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-12-08
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

There Is No Data on the Future
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-11-17
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

This Is How America Can Become the World’s Most Creative Country
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-01-04
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

This is the end of marriage, capitalism and God. Finally!
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-02-06
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Time to turn Michigan's three economies into one
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-12-01
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Top Examples of Innovation in Action
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-10-17
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Understanding the Value of Useful Novelty
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2013-11-14
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Using the Right Innovation Tool for the Right Innovation Job
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-04-06
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Walking the Tightrope on the Innovation Bell Curve
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-02-16
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Want Radical Innovation? Here’s Where to Look
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-03-02
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

We Grow When Our Life Sucks… Or When We’re On a Roll
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-12-07
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

We Grow When Our Life Sucks...
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-12-21
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

We're All Hypocrites, and That's a Good Thing
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-05-13
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

What all leaders can learn from jazz-inspired military trailblazers
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-10-27
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

What are the basic steps to make innovation happen?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-10-31
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

What Are You Willing to Give Up to Get Innovation?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-01-05
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

What Attributes Are Key to a Successful Leadership?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-10-05
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

What Can Companies Do to Create a Culture of Innovation?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-10-24
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

What Is Innovation?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2014-09-29
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

What Misconceptions Do People Have About Innovation?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-09-29
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-research
type: Article

What the Most Creative Countries in the World Do
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-01-11
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

What Will You Give Up to Make Room For Innovation?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-06-29
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

What’s Coming Next in 2017?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-08-23
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

When Constant Change Is the Norm, Paradox Is Your Superpower
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-07-06
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

When it comes to attracting corporations to Michigan, talent tops low tax
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-06-06
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

When it comes to health care reform, innovation will matter more than politics
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-02-23
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

When It Comes to Health Care Reform
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-03-15
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

When Nobody Wants Your Innovation
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-08-03
date published: 2015-08-17
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Where Do Innovative Ideas Come From?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-04-28
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Where do the truly great innovations lie?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2016-01-07
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Why Courage Is More Important Than Creativity
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-01-26
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Why Crowdsourcing Has Ruined the Art of Innovation
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-12-21
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Why Do We Fall Into Patterns of Doing Things the Same Way?
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-10-19
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Why Facts Can’t Break Through the Mind’s Firewall
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-04-04
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Why 'high tolerance of ambiguity' should anchor your creative toolkit
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-05-27
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Why I Stopped Starting Class with Content—and What Happened Instead
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-06-16
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Why Innovation Is So Hard
alternate name: Why innovation is so hard
alternative headline: Why innovation is so hard
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2013-01-16
date published: 2015-11-09
date published: 2015-11-16
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Why Leaders Don’t Understand How to Play the Innovation Game – and How You Can Help Them Win
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2013-02-11
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Why Organizations Love Innovation, but Hate Their Innovators
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-09-09
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Why the Brain Sometimes Puts a Song in Your Head
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2025-10-10
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Why the ‘most innovative companies’ aren’t
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2013-03-13
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

You Are Not the Weather
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-11-29
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

You Can’t Predict the Future. But Here’s What You Can Do
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2015-03-09
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-opinion
type: Article

Your Worldview Is Your Greatest Strength
author: Jeff DeGraff
date published: 2017-07-20
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-blog
type: Article

Certified Professional Innovator Workbook
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-the-jeff-degraff-innovation-library
type: Book

Competing Values Leadership: Second Edition
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-edward-elgar-publishing
type: Book

Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-edward-elgar-publishing
type: Book

Competing Values Leadership
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-edward-elgar-publishing
type: Book

Creativity At Work
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-jossey-bass
type: Book

Innovation You
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-ballantine-books
type: Book

Leading Innovation
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-mcgraw-hill
type: Book

Making Stone Soup
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-the-jeff-degraff-innovation-library
type: Book

The Art of Change: Transforming Paradoxes into Breakthroughs
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-berrett-koehler-publishers
type: Book

The Creative Mindset: Mastering the Six Skills That Empower Innovation
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-berrett-koehler-publishers
type: Book

The Enlivened Self
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
type: Book

The Innovation Code: The Creative Power of Constructive Conflict
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
publisher: org-berrett-koehler-publishers
type: Book

United States
type: Country

B.S. in Communication Arts and Sciences
credential category: degree
date created: 1980
recognized by: Western Michigan University
type: EducationalOccupationalCredential

M.A. in Communication Studies
credential category: degree
date created: 1982
recognized by: University of Michigan
type: EducationalOccupationalCredential

Ph.D. in Educational Technology
credential category: degree
date created: 1985
recognized by: University of Wisconsin–Madison
type: EducationalOccupationalCredential

20/80 Rule of Transformative Change
description: Insight that it's easier to change 20% of an organization radically than to modestly change 80%. Also known as Pareto-Informed Innovation Adoption Curve. Related to Innovation Diffusion Models and Change Readiness Theory.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined, 2008
type: DefinedTerm

Action Learning / Experiential Pedagogy
description: Grounded in experiential design. DeGraff's 'See-One / Do-One / Teach-One' model, mastery portfolios, and smart experiments extend Kolb's experiential learning cycle. Also known as Experiential Learning for Business Innovation, Hands-on Innovation Training, Learning-by-Doing.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: used extensively, 1990
type: DefinedTerm

Aerospace
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Ambidextrous leadership
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Applied Innovation Ecosystems
description: Operationalized through real-world programs like Project Mercury and AIM HI. Also known as Innovation Ecosystem Design and Scaling. Focuses on building interconnected cultures, competencies, and communities across Academia, Industry, and the Military.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: used extensively, 2004
type: DefinedTerm

Automotive
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Business Transformation
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Change Management
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Civic and Mission-Driven Innovation
description: Extended innovation practice into churches, libraries, performing arts, and public television through the Intellectual Edge Alliance. Also known as Social Innovation in Public Sector and Nonprofits, Church Innovation, Library Innovation, Public Innovation Labs.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: used extensively, 2015
type: DefinedTerm

Collaborative innovation networks
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Competing Values Framework application
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Competing Values Framework (CVF)
description: Co-developed by Robert Quinn and Kim Cameron, significantly extended and popularized by Jeff DeGraff through The Innovation Code. Also known as Competing Values Leadership Model. DeGraff adapted the quadrants (Collaborate, Create, Compete, Control) into actionable innovation roles (Sage, Artist, Athlete, Engineer).
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: used extensively, 1990
type: DefinedTerm

Constructive conflict methodologies
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Consumer Products
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Course Development
type: DefinedTerm

Creating innovation practices and methods
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Creative Mindset Theory
description: Six core creative competencies (Clarify, Replicate, Elaborate, Associate, Translate, Evaluate) embedded into team and organizational development. Also known as Creative Thinking Framework for Innovation. Offers a practical way to cultivate individual and collective creativity.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: used extensively, 2018
type: DefinedTerm

Creativity and Innovation
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Creativizing
description: A unique philosophy and method for integrating creativity into routine activities for personal meaning, development, and transcendence. Also known as Applied Creativity in Everyday Life. Aligns with Everyday Creativity and Creativity as a Way of Life.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined, 2010
type: DefinedTerm

Cultural change for sustainable innovation
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Developing organizational cultures and capabilities for innovation
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Executive Coaching
type: DefinedTerm

Federations of Meaning
description: Thought leadership on how loose alliances of purpose-centered groups drive adaptive innovation. Also known as Decentralized Purpose-Driven Networks. Aligns with Networked Organizations, Distributed Leadership, and Civic Innovation.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined, 2015
type: DefinedTerm

Financial Services
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Food and Beverage
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Fortune 500 Consulting
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Government Agencies
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Healthcare
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Higher Education
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Innovation competency development through action learning
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Innovation Competency Development
type: DefinedTerm

Innovation Cosmology
description: A metaphysical and strategic framework for transformation integrating metaphors, paradoxes, and system dynamics. Also known as Innovation Philosophy and Systems Thinking, Innovation Metaphysics, Innovation Worldview, Innovation Theory of Change. Links practical innovation tools to deeper questions of meaning, emergence, and transcendence.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined, 2020
type: DefinedTerm

Innovation Culture and Capability Building
description: Building the 3 Cs: Culture, Competencies, and Community through jumpstart models, capability assessments, and ecosystem design tools. Also known as Building Innovation Culture and Skills, Innovation Competency Framework, Organizational Creativity, Culture of Innovation.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: used extensively, 2000
type: DefinedTerm

Innovation Culture Development
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Innovation ecosystems
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Innovation Genome
description: A systemic model for understanding and diagnosing innovation at multiple levels (individual, team, organization). Also known as Innovation Capability Model. Related to Strategic Innovation Models.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined, 1998
type: DefinedTerm

Innovation strategy development
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Innovation Strategy
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Innovation Typologies (Artist, Engineer, Athlete, Sage)
description: Reimagined CVF quadrant types as four creative personas. Also known as Four Innovation Styles Framework, Innovation Archetypes, Innovation Roles, Innovation Personality Types. These archetypes form the foundation of tools like the Innovation Genome and TalentForge.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined, 2000
type: DefinedTerm

Instructional Design
type: DefinedTerm

Leadership Development
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Leading creativity and innovation
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Management Education
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Manufacturing
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Measuring innovation and growth
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Military and Defense
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Not-for-profit Organizations
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Organizational Change
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Organizational Development
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Paradox-based organizational change
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Paradoxical Thinking / Paradox Mindset
description: Central to DeGraff's The Art of Change. His Paradox Cycle articulates how real change is driven by contradictory forces. Also known as Paradox Mindset in Leadership, Managing Opposites, Adaptive Thinking, Innovation Paradoxes.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: used extensively, 2005
type: DefinedTerm

Pharmaceuticals
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Program Development
type: DefinedTerm

Public Speaking
type: DefinedTerm

Research and Writing
type: DefinedTerm

Strategic Consulting
type: DefinedTerm

Strategic Management
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

Teaching and Pedagogy
type: DefinedTerm

Technology
description: Industry expertise
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined
type: DefinedTerm

The 3Cs: Culture, Competencies, Community
description: Framework for scaling innovation through interdependent capacities. Also known as Sustainable Innovation Ecosystems. Aligns with Learning Organizations, Organizational Development, and Ecosystem Strategy.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined, 2005
type: DefinedTerm

The Paradox Cycle
description: Framework for resolving paradoxes through creative cycles. Also known as Paradoxical Thinking for Innovation. Relates to Paradox Theory, Double-Loop Learning, and Creative Tensions.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined, 2010
type: DefinedTerm

Thought Leadership
type: DefinedTerm

Wholonics
description: Neologism combining holism + analytics; aligns with Complex Adaptive Systems, Ecological Thinking, and Whole Systems Design. Also known as Systems Thinking for Innovation.
in defined term set: Glossary
term code: coined, 2012
type: DefinedTerm

Workshop Facilitation
type: DefinedTerm

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alumni of: University of Michigan
end date: 1982
role name: M.A., Communication Studies
type: OrganizationRole

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alumni of: University of Wisconsin–Madison
end date: 1985
role name: Ph.D., Educational Technology
type: OrganizationRole

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type: CollegeOrUniversity

eduorg-western-michigan-university-alumniof
alumni of: Western Michigan University
end date: 1980
role name: B.S., Communication Arts and Sciences
type: OrganizationRole

Western Michigan University
type: CollegeOrUniversity

Engage
type: Thing

event-afa-keynote-unleashing-a-culture-of-innovation-location-address
address locality: Orlando
address region: FL
type: PostalAddress

AFA Keynote: Unleashing a Culture of Innovation
about: Engage
additional type: conference
description: Engaging in conflict and the importance of diversity of thoughts
location: event-afa-keynote-unleashing-a-culture-of-innovation-location
performer: PerformanceRole
  performer: Jeff DeGraff
  role name: speaker
start date: 2018-02-28
type: Event

Creative conflict
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AFWERX Spark Collider
about: Creative conflict
additional type: keynote
performer: PerformanceRole
  performer: Jeff DeGraff
  role name: speaker
start date: 2019-08-29
type: Event

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type: Thing

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra
type: Place

Detroit Symphony Orchestra
about: innovation and creative process
additional type: workshop
description: In this video, Jeff explores how effective leaders operate in conditions of uncertainty and contradiction. Rather than resolving tension or forcing alignment, he shows how leaders learn to work within paradox—using difference, disagreement, and competing demands as sources of insight and momentum. This perspective is essential for leading innovation in complex, changing environments.
location: The Detroit Symphony Orchestra
performer: PerformanceRole
  performer: Jeff DeGraff
  role name: host
start date: 2013-08-07
type: Event

Innovation
type: Thing

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audience type: Healthcare professionals
type: Audience

Innovation Speech at LEDx 3.0
about: Innovation
additional type: keynote
audience: event-innovation-speech-at-ledx-30-audience
description: What creates a culture of health? How can companies integrate good healthcare and wellness programs without stressing employees? Watch this discussion on varied and multi-disciplinary approaches to best practices.
performer: PerformanceRole
  performer: Jeff DeGraff
  role name: speaker
start date: 2020-03-24
type: Event

creativity
type: Thing

LEDx 2.0 Creativizing: Creating Your Greatest Work of Art, You
about: creativity
additional type: keynote
performer: PerformanceRole
  performer: Jeff DeGraff
  role name: speaker
start date: 2019-03-26
type: Event

Innovation in action
type: Thing

Making Innovation Happen Across NATO
about: Innovation in action
additional type: keynote
description: In this video, Jeff explores the deeper reasons innovation is difficult for many organizations and leaders. He discusses the cognitive, cultural, and systemic dynamics that make innovation less about having an idea and more about navigating complexity, paradox, and organizational norms. This is ideal for viewers who are past introductory concepts and want to deepen their understanding of how innovation actually functions in real environments.
performer: PerformanceRole
  performer: Jeff DeGraff
  role name: presenter
start date: 2023-01-22
type: Event

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type: Thing

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type: Audience

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address locality: Mountain View
address region: CA
type: PostalAddress

Talks at Google | The Innovation Code | Dr. Jeff DeGraff, Staney DeGraff
about: Innovation frameworks for constructive conflict
additional type: seminar
audience: event-talks-at-google-the-innovation-code-dr-jeff-degraff-s-81a811-audience
description: In The Innovation Code, Jeff DeGraff (the 'Dean of Innovation'), and Staney DeGraff introduce a simple framework to explain the ways different kinds of thinkers and leaders can create constructive conflict. They show you the four steps to normalize conflict, channel it, and develop something completely new, using tools, methods, examples, exercises, and assessments.
location: event-talks-at-google-the-innovation-code-dr-jeff-degraff-s-81a811-location
performer: PerformanceRole
  performer: Jeff DeGraff
  role name: speaker
start date: 2018-05-16
type: Event

Jeff Degraff Logo Rgb Full Color
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copyright holder: Jeff DeGraff
copyright notice: All rights reserved.
copyright year: 2026
creator: Big House Enterprise
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Innovation as Practice: The Innovation Code Workshop
about: Jeff DeGraff
caption: Jeff DeGraff conducting Innovation Code workshop demonstrating creative power of constructive conflict with live audience
copyright holder: Jeff DeGraff
copyright notice: � 2026 Jeff DeGraff. All rights reserved.
copyright year: 2026
creator: Innovatrium
description: Video thumbnail showing Jeff DeGraff leading an Innovation Code workshop session. Features instructor presenting to small group in industrial loft space with brick walls. Prominent banner displays 'The Innovation Code: The Creative Power of Constructive Conflict' with four-step methodology visible.
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Jeff Degraff Innovation Genome Igenome Constructive Conflict
about: Jeff DeGraff
copyright holder: Jeff DeGraff
copyright notice: All rights reserved.
copyright year: 2026
creator: Big House Enterprise
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Jeff Degraff Innovation Code Icode Sage Yellow
about: Jeff DeGraff
copyright holder: Jeff DeGraff
copyright notice: All rights reserved.
copyright year: 2026
creator: Big House Enterprise
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Jeff DeGraff Half Body Speaking American Medical Association
about: Jeff DeGraff
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caption: Image of Jeff DeGraff speaking at the American Medical Association
copyright holder: Jeff DeGraff
copyright notice: All rights reserved.
copyright year: 2026
creator: Big House Enterprise
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Jeff DeGraff Dean of Innovation professional headshot
about: Jeff DeGraff
caption: Jeff DeGraff Dean of Innovation professional headshot
copyright holder: Jeff DeGraff
copyright notice: All rights reserved.
copyright year: 2026
creator: Big House Enterprise
height: 2048
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type: ImageObject

Jeff Degraff Innovatrium Logo
about: Jeff DeGraff
copyright holder: Jeff DeGraff
copyright notice: All rights reserved.
copyright year: 2026
creator: Big House Enterprise
height: 541
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type: ImageObject

occupation-apple-computer-advisor-to-apple-computer-role
end date: 1987-12-31
has occupation: Advisor to Apple Computer
role name: Advisor to Apple Computer at Apple Computer
start date: 1987-01-01
type: Role

Advisor to Apple Computer
description: Served as advisor on Applied Integrated Systems, an early multimedia education initiative and precursor to iTunes. Helped shape the fusion of technology, learning, and design thinking in the emerging digital age.
type: Occupation

occupation-competing-values-llc-founder-role
has occupation: Founder
role name: Founder at Competing Values, LLC
start date: 1990-01-01
type: Role

Founder
description: Launched consulting firm applying academic models to real-world innovation challenges in Fortune 500 firms, healthcare systems, and government. Works with over half the Fortune 500 including Google, Apple, Coca-Cola, Pfizer, NASA, and Microsoft to build sustainable innovation ecosystems.
type: Occupation

occupation-dominos-pizza-distribution-corp-vice-president-of-com-aadd7f-role
end date: 1990-12-31
has occupation: Vice President of Communications and New Ventures
role name: Vice President of Communications and New Ventures at Domino's Pizza Distribution Corp.
start date: 1985-01-01
type: Role

Vice President of Communications and New Ventures
description: Directed strategic communications and internal innovation initiatives during Domino's period of explosive growth from $50 million to $2 billion. Earned the informal title 'Dean of Innovation' for pioneering scalable creativity practices and leadership development models. Applied emerging organizational theories to help scale the company.
type: Occupation

occupation-helsinki-graduate-school-of-economics-now-aalto-unive-9f350a-role
end date: 1995-12-31
has occupation: Visiting Professor
role name: Visiting Professor at Helsinki Graduate School of Economics (now Aalto University)
start date: 1994-01-01
type: Role

Visiting Professor
description: Taught innovation leadership and organizational change. Introduced the Competing Values Framework to European academic circles.
type: Occupation

occupation-innovatrium-institute-for-innovation-founder-role
has occupation: Founder
role name: Founder at Innovatrium Institute for Innovation
start date: 2004-01-01
type: Role

Founder
description: Created joint venture with Haworth: a physical and intellectual innovation lab near Ross School of Business. Living laboratory where organizations experiment with innovation culture, capability, and community. Practical manifestation of DeGraff's school of thought—a physical space where diverse perspectives clash productively to generate new solutions.
type: Occupation

occupation-intellectual-edge-alliance-founder-role
has occupation: Founder
role name: Founder at Intellectual Edge Alliance
start date: 2015-01-01
type: Role

Founder
description: Founded nonprofit consortium of research universities and technology companies working with the U.S. Military, NATO, and allied forces in 45 countries. Makes innovation tools and practices accessible to leaders tackling critical societal challenges in defense, government, and education. Developed programs including Project Mercury, AIM HI, and other innovation frameworks for military and defense applications.
type: Occupation

occupation-ross-school-of-business-university-of-michigan-clinic-b5e6f9-role
has occupation: Clinical Professor of Management and Organizations
role name: Clinical Professor of Management and Organizations at Ross School of Business, University of Michigan
start date: 1990-01-01
type: Role

Clinical Professor of Management and Organizations
description: Teaching Managing Creativity (MO 745), Leading Change (MO 603), Creativity at Work (MO463), and other innovation courses to MBAs, executives, and undergraduates. Developed flagship programs including the first BBA capstone course. Established comprehensive school of thought around systematic innovation development. Created University of Michigan's Certified Professional Innovator Program, the first university innovation certificate of its kind.
type: Occupation

org-alice-lloyd-scholars-program-university-of-michigan-affiliation
affiliation: Alice Lloyd Scholars Program, University of Michigan
description: Selected as an Alice Lloyd Scholar and served as an instructor in Michigan's interdisciplinary Pilot Program, noted for progressive, student-centered pedagogy.
end date: 1985-12-31
role name: affiliated
start date: 1982-01-01
type: OrganizationRole

Alice Lloyd Scholars Program, University of Michigan
type: Organization

org-american-medical-association-affiliation
affiliation: American Medical Association
description: Developed innovation curriculum for U.S. physicians focused on healthcare transformation.
end date: 2007-12-31
role name: collaborator
start date: 2007-01-01
type: OrganizationRole

American Medical Association
type: Organization

org-apple-inc-affiliation
affiliation: Apple Inc.
description: Served on advisory board, helping launch the platform that became iTunes
role name: researcher
type: OrganizationRole

Apple Inc.
type: Organization

org-aspen-institute-affiliation
affiliation: Aspen Institute
description: Selected as a Fellow of the Aspen Institute think tank 'Tomorrow's Corporation'. Designed and led a CEO/professor symposium titled 'How Far to Ithaca,' using the metaphor of Odysseus to explore futures thinking.
end date: 1993-12-31
role name: fellow
start date: 1993-01-01
type: OrganizationRole

Aspen Institute
type: Organization

Big House Enterprise
type: Organization

Big Speak
type: NewsMediaOrganization

org-bigspeak-speakers-bureau-memberof
description: Jeff DeGraff is a keynote speaker on topics ranging from innovation to change management to strategy & leadership
member of: BigSpeak Speaker's Bureau
role name: Keynote Speaker
type: OrganizationRole

BigSpeak Speaker's Bureau
type: Organization

org-board-of-advisors-um-school-of-library-information-science-affiliation
affiliation: Board of Advisors, UM School of Library & Information Science
description: Appointed to the Board of Advisors, helping bridge innovation methods with information systems and emerging digital tools.
role name: researcher
start date: 1991-01-01
type: OrganizationRole

Board of Advisors, UM School of Library & Information Science
type: Organization

org-csc-index-vanguard-group-affiliation
affiliation: CSC Index Vanguard Group
description: Appointed to the Vanguard Group, an elite think tank of industry leaders and management theorists convened by CSC Index.
end date: 1995-12-31
role name: affiliated
start date: 1994-01-01
type: OrganizationRole

CSC Index Vanguard Group
type: Organization

org-design-business-club-student-club-affiliation
affiliation: Design + Business Club (Student Club)
description: Role: Faculty Advisor
role name: researcher
type: OrganizationRole

Design + Business Club (Student Club)
type: Organization

org-federal-reserve-bank-affiliation
affiliation: Federal Reserve Bank
description: Consulted to the Federal Reserve Bank on how to establish high growth innovation ecosystems.
end date: 2003-12-31
role name: collaborator
start date: 2003-01-01
type: OrganizationRole

Federal Reserve Bank
type: Organization

org-human-capital-club-student-club-affiliation
affiliation: Human Capital Club (Student Club)
description: Role: Faculty Advisor
role name: researcher
type: OrganizationRole

Human Capital Club (Student Club)
type: Organization

org-joint-chiefs-of-staff-affiliation
affiliation: Joint Chiefs of Staff
description: Strategic advisor on innovation and organizational transformation
role name: researcher
type: OrganizationRole

Joint Chiefs of Staff
type: Organization

org-m-powered-student-club-affiliation
affiliation: M-Powered (Student Club)
description: Role: Faculty Advisor
role name: researcher
type: OrganizationRole

M-Powered (Student Club)
type: Organization

org-multidisciplinary-action-projects-map-ross-school-of-6cad24-affiliation
affiliation: Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP), Ross School of Business
description: Founding Faculty. Played a leading role in creating the MAP initiative at Ross, combining action-based learning with innovation consulting for global corporations.
role name: affiliated
start date: 1991-01-01
type: OrganizationRole

Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP), Ross School of Business
type: Organization

org-nato-affiliation
affiliation: NATO
description: Delivers innovation programs and strategic advice to NATO forces through Intellectual Edge Alliance
role name: researcher
type: OrganizationRole

NATO
type: Organization

org-nyu-medical-center-deans-office-affiliation
affiliation: NYU Medical Center Dean's Office
description: Led a strategic innovation partnership that helped design a large-scale reengineering process, later replicated across several U.S. academic medical centers.
end date: 1995-12-31
role name: collaborator
start date: 1995-01-01
type: OrganizationRole

NYU Medical Center Dean's Office
type: Organization

org-order-of-angel-student-club-affiliation
affiliation: Order of Angel (Student Club)
description: Role: Faculty Advisor
role name: researcher
type: OrganizationRole

Order of Angel (Student Club)
type: Organization

org-republic-of-singapore-armed-forces-affiliation
affiliation: Republic of Singapore Armed Forces
description: Innovation strategy advisor through Intellectual Edge Alliance partnership
role name: researcher
type: OrganizationRole

Republic of Singapore Armed Forces
type: Organization

org-research-institute-of-management-innovation-at-kinki-64707d-affiliation
affiliation: Research Institute of Management Innovation at Kinki University
description: Role: Advisory Board Member
role name: researcher
type: OrganizationRole

Research Institute of Management Innovation at Kinki University
type: Organization

Ross School of Business, University of Michigan
type: Organization

org-united-states-air-force-affiliation
affiliation: United States Air Force
description: Strategic advisor to senior USAF leadership on innovation and organizational transformation. Works with Department of Defense fellows.
role name: researcher
type: OrganizationRole

United States Air Force
type: Organization

org-united-states-space-force-affiliation
affiliation: United States Space Force
description: Strategic innovation advisor to USSF leadership
role name: researcher
type: OrganizationRole

United States Space Force
type: Organization

org-university-of-michigan-office-of-research-advisory-committee-memberof
description: Advisory Committee for the Distinguished University Innovator Award
member of: University of Michigan Office of Research Advisory Committee
role name: Member
type: OrganizationRole

University of Michigan Office of Research Advisory Committee
type: Organization

org-university-of-michigan-presidents-office-affiliation
affiliation: University of Michigan President's Office
description: Consulted with the Office of the President to develop university-wide innovation strategies, including advising the Chief Information Officer on academic–corporate partnerships.
end date: 1992-12-31
role name: collaborator
start date: 1992-01-01
type: OrganizationRole

University of Michigan President's Office
type: Organization

org-us-air-force-afwerx-affiliation
affiliation: U.S. Air Force / AFWERX
description: Began enduring partnership with U.S. Air Force, leading to AFWERX and NATO collaborations. Selected to lead highly selective seminar for U.S. Air Force Fellows in 2022, training rising military leaders in adaptive innovation, cross-cultural agility, and change readiness.
role name: collaborator
start date: 2008-01-01
type: OrganizationRole

U.S. Air Force / AFWERX
type: Organization

Chapter 3: The Quadrants in the Competing Values Framework
type: Periodical

Competing Values Leadership: First Edition
type: Periodical

Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
type: Periodical

Competing Values Leadership
type: Periodical

person-jeff-degraff-address
address country: United States
address locality: Ann Arbor
address region: MI
postal code: 48104
type: PostalAddress

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address country: United States
address locality: Kalamazoo
address region: Michigan
type: PostalAddress

person-jeff-degraff-contact-general
contact type: General
type: ContactPoint

Jeff DeGraff
additional name: Thomas
address: person-jeff-degraff-address
affiliation: org-alice-lloyd-scholars-program-university-of-michigan-affiliation
affiliation: org-american-medical-association-affiliation
affiliation: org-apple-inc-affiliation
affiliation: org-aspen-institute-affiliation
affiliation: org-board-of-advisors-um-school-of-library-information-science-affiliation
affiliation: org-csc-index-vanguard-group-affiliation
affiliation: org-design-business-club-student-club-affiliation
affiliation: org-federal-reserve-bank-affiliation
affiliation: org-human-capital-club-student-club-affiliation
affiliation: org-joint-chiefs-of-staff-affiliation
affiliation: org-m-powered-student-club-affiliation
affiliation: org-multidisciplinary-action-projects-map-ross-school-of-6cad24-affiliation
affiliation: org-nato-affiliation
affiliation: org-nyu-medical-center-deans-office-affiliation
affiliation: org-order-of-angel-student-club-affiliation
affiliation: org-republic-of-singapore-armed-forces-affiliation
affiliation: org-research-institute-of-management-innovation-at-kinki-64707d-affiliation
affiliation: org-united-states-air-force-affiliation
affiliation: org-united-states-space-force-affiliation
affiliation: org-university-of-michigan-presidents-office-affiliation
affiliation: org-us-air-force-afwerx-affiliation
alternate name: The Dean of Innovation
alumni of: eduorg-university-of-michigan-alumniof
alumni of: eduorg-university-of-wisconsinmadison-alumniof
alumni of: eduorg-western-michigan-university-alumniof
award: Original LinkedIn Influencer (LinkedIn)
award: Władysław Eugeniusz Sikorski Medal (Polish Armed Forces)
birth place: person-jeff-degraff-birth-place
contact point: person-jeff-degraff-contact-general
description: Jeff DeGraff is the Dean of Innovation and one of the world's leading authorities on organizational innovation and transformational change. He is an author, speaker, and consultant to the Fortune 500 and mission-driven organizations worldwide. Jeff DeGraff is also the Founder of Innovatrium, Founder of Intellectual Edge Alliance, and Clinical Professor of Management and Organizations at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Jeff co-created the Competing Values Framework and developed the Innovation Code and Innovation Genome methodologies which provide organizations with practical tools to reconcile competing priorities and drive breakthrough performance. His mission is the democratization of innovation: making systematic innovation accessible to everyone, everywhere, every day.
family name: DeGraff
gender: Male
given name: Jeffrey
has credential: B.S. in Communication Arts and Sciences
has credential: M.A. in Communication Studies
has credential: Ph.D. in Educational Technology
has occupation: occupation-apple-computer-advisor-to-apple-computer-role
has occupation: occupation-competing-values-llc-founder-role
has occupation: occupation-dominos-pizza-distribution-corp-vice-president-of-com-aadd7f-role
has occupation: occupation-helsinki-graduate-school-of-economics-now-aalto-unive-9f350a-role
has occupation: occupation-innovatrium-institute-for-innovation-founder-role
has occupation: occupation-intellectual-edge-alliance-founder-role
has occupation: occupation-ross-school-of-business-university-of-michigan-clinic-b5e6f9-role
honorific prefix: Prof.
honorific suffix: PhD
job title: Clinical Professor of Management and Organizations
knows about: Course Development
knows about: Executive Coaching
knows about: Higher Education
knows about: Innovation Competency Development
knows about: Innovation Culture Development
knows about: Instructional Design
knows about: Program Development
knows about: Public Speaking
knows about: Research and Writing
knows about: Strategic Consulting
knows about: Teaching and Pedagogy
knows about: Thought Leadership
knows about: Workshop Facilitation
knows about: Glossary
knows language: English
knows: Alfred North Whitehead
knows: Carl Jung
knows: C.K. Prahalad
knows: Clayton Christensen
knows: Edgar Schein
knows: Erich Fromm
knows: G.W.F. Hegel
knows: Hannah Arendt
knows: Henry Mintzberg
knows: Heraclitus
knows: Howard Gardner
knows: Jim DeGraff
knows: Joan DeGraff
knows: John Dewey
knows: John Rohrbaugh
knows: Joseph Byrum
knows: Karl Weick

Alfred North Whitehead
description: British philosopher. Process philosophy; creativity as the essence of reality. Influenced DeGraff's view of dynamic systems and creativity as ontological force.
type: Person

Carl Jung
description: Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. Archetypes, individuation, mythic structure of the psyche. Influenced DeGraff's narrative-driven change, personal transformation, and paradox of the self.
type: Person

C.K. Prahalad
description: Core competencies theory. Influenced DeGraff's building of adaptive innovation ecosystems that integrate diverse capabilities.
type: Person

Clayton Christensen
description: Disruptive innovation theory. DeGraff's paradox approach provides a more nuanced follow-on to Christensen's work.
type: Person

Edgar Schein
description: Organizational culture theory. DeGraff's 'cultural competency' quadrant approach builds from Schein's foundational work.
type: Person

Erich Fromm
description: German-American psychologist. Productive love and creativity as spiritual act. Influenced DeGraff's Creativizing as spiritual purpose and meaning as action.
type: Person

G.W.F. Hegel
description: German philosopher. Dialectic, synthesis of opposites, historical becoming. Influenced DeGraff's oppositional hybrids, paradox resolution, and Innovation Genome as dialectical process.
type: Person

Hannah Arendt
description: German-American political theorist. Natality; action as highest human faculty; public space. Influenced DeGraff's view of creative emergence and founding new beginnings through innovation.
type: Person

Henry Mintzberg
description: Practitioner-based strategy models. Overlaps with DeGraff's action-centered innovation planning.
type: Person

Heraclitus
description: Ancient Greek philosopher. Unity of opposites, flux, becoming. Philosophical foundation for The Paradox Cycle; innovation as constant movement; dynamic tension as creative force.
type: Person

Howard Gardner
description: Multiple intelligences and creativity in education. Supports DeGraff's role-based innovation typology (Artist, Engineer, Athlete, Sage).
type: Person

Jim DeGraff
description: Married to Joan for 68+ years
type: Person

Joan DeGraff
description: Married to Jim for 68+ years
type: Person

John Dewey
description: American philosopher. Pragmatism, learning by doing, social democracy. Philosophical foundation for DeGraff's practice-based innovation, experiential learning, and societal application of knowledge.
type: Person

John Rohrbaugh
description: Academic colleague and framework co-developer
type: Person

Joseph Byrum
description: Key collaborative partner that helped DeGraff develop innovation concepts like the Innovation Genome. Joseph Byrum and Jeff DeGraff have worked together on consulting projects for many Fortune 500 companies, the US Air Force, and NATO allies.
type: Person

Karl Weick
description: Sensemaking and loosely coupled systems theory. Directly aligns with DeGraff's paradox and ambiguity focus.
type: Person

Ken Wilber
description: Integral theory, systems consciousness. Parallels with DeGraff's quadrant systems, levels of transformation, and paradoxical emergence.
type: Person

Kim Cameron
description: Academic colleague at University of Michigan and framework co-developer. Co-author of Competing Values Leadership book.
type: Person

Linda Hill
description: Collective genius and innovation leadership (Harvard). Echoes DeGraff's innovation federations and community-of-practice approach.
type: Person

Martin Buber
description: Austrian-Israeli philosopher. I–Thou relationship and dialogic encounter. Influenced DeGraff's view of innovation through relationship and deep collaboration.
type: Person

Michael Tushman
description: Ambidextrous organization theory (with Charles O'Reilly). Connects to DeGraff's paradox cycle and competing tensions.
type: Person

One older brother
description: Jeff is the second of five children
type: Person

One younger sister
description: Part of five children family
type: Person

Paulo Freire
description: Brazilian educator and philosopher. Dialogical learning and pedagogy of the oppressed. Influenced DeGraff's co-design with participants, democratizing innovation, and federations of meaning.
type: Person

Peter Drucker
description: Father of management theory. DeGraff's clinical/practice-based innovations are a modern extension of Drucker's work.
type: Person

Peter Senge
description: Systems thinking and learning organizations. Foundational to DeGraff's 'Wholonics' and innovation-as-ecosystem worldview.
type: Person

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
description: French Jesuit priest and philosopher. Evolution of consciousness; convergence of spirit and matter. Influenced DeGraff's cosmology of innovation and transcendence through integration and transformation.
type: Person

Robert Quinn
description: Academic colleague at University of Michigan and framework co-developer. Co-author of Competing Values Leadership book.
type: Person

Roger Martin
description: Integrative thinking and paradox navigation. DeGraff's framework offers more operational specificity.
type: Person

Ron Heifetz
description: Adaptive leadership. DeGraff applies Heifetz's model to innovation ecosystems and dynamic teams.
type: Person

Rudolf Arnheim
description: Legendary art theorist. Mentor and graduate advisor at University of Michigan. Inspiration for DeGraff's fusion of aesthetic cognition and organizational design through Gestalt theory and the cognitive dimensions of creativity.
type: Person

Staney DeGraff
description: Wife and co-author of multiple books including 'The Art of Change,' 'The Creative Mindset,' and 'The Innovation Code.' CEO of the Innovatrium, works with large organizations to create sustainable innovation ecosystems. Has MBA and MS in Computer Science and Engineering from University of Michigan. Co-leads the Intellectual Edge Alliance global network.
type: Person

Thomas Zurbuchen
description: Key connection that led to DeGraff's work with the Air Force, Army, and NATO. Zurbuchen facilitated DeGraff's entry into defense and military innovation work.
type: Person

Tom Peters
description: Excellence movement, management as performance art. Influenced DeGraff's theatrical approach to executive education and innovation storytelling.
type: Person

Two younger brothers
description: Part of five children family
type: Person

Walt Disney
description: DeGraff adopted Disney's mantra 'Keep moving forward' at an early age, which became a guiding principle throughout his career
type: Person

William James
description: Pragmatism, pluralism, radical empiricism. DeGraff's paradoxical and experiential view of innovation echoes James's fluid, anti-reductionist approach.
type: Person

Chapter 1: Introducing the competing values way of thinking
alternate name: Chapter 1: Introducing the Competing Values Way of Thinking
alternative headline: Chapter 1: Introducing the Competing Values Way of Thinking
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
is part of: Competing Values Leadership
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 10: The double helix of leadership and change: integrating the Competing Values Model with Theory U
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 11: Responding to criticisms of the Competing Values Framework
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 12: Conclusions about the structure of value
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 2: Clarifying the meaning of value
alternate name: Chapter 2: Clarifying the Meaning of Value
alternative headline: Chapter 2: Clarifying the Meaning of Value
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
is part of: Competing Values Leadership
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 3: The quadrants in the Competing Values Framework
alternate name: Chapter 3: The Quadrants in the Competing Values Framework
alternative headline: Chapter 3: The Quadrants in the Competing Values Framework
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Chapter 3: The Quadrants in the Competing Values Framework
is part of: Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 4: Tensions and Trade-offs: From Either/or to Both/and Thinking
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership: First Edition
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 4: Tensions and trade-offs: from eitheror to bothand thinking
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 5: Creating value through new leadership behaviors
alternate name: Chapter 5: Creating Value Through New Leadership Behaviors
alternative headline: Chapter 5: Creating Value Through New Leadership Behaviors
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
is part of: Competing Values Leadership
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 6: Predicting Value Creation and Financial Performance
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 6: Predicting value creation through financial performance
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 7: Fostering innovation by applying the Competing Values Framework
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 7: Measuring Leadership Competencies and Organizational Culture
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 8: Applying Leadership Levers for Organizational Change
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 8: Enhancing leadership competencies and organizational culture
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 9: Applying leadership levers for organizational change
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership: Third Edition
type: ScholarlyArticle

Chapter 9: Conclusions About the Structure of Value
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership
type: ScholarlyArticle

Front Matter
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership
type: ScholarlyArticle

References
author: Jeff DeGraff
is part of: Competing Values Leadership
type: ScholarlyArticle

Glossary
author: Jeff DeGraff
has defined term: 20/80 Rule of Transformative Change
has defined term: Action Learning / Experiential Pedagogy
has defined term: Aerospace
has defined term: Ambidextrous leadership
has defined term: Applied Innovation Ecosystems
has defined term: Automotive
has defined term: Business Transformation
has defined term: Change Management
has defined term: Civic and Mission-Driven Innovation
has defined term: Collaborative innovation networks
has defined term: Competing Values Framework application
has defined term: Competing Values Framework (CVF)
has defined term: Constructive conflict methodologies
has defined term: Consumer Products
has defined term: Creating innovation practices and methods
has defined term: Creative Mindset Theory
has defined term: Creativity and Innovation
has defined term: Creativizing
has defined term: Cultural change for sustainable innovation
has defined term: Developing organizational cultures and capabilities for innovation
has defined term: Federations of Meaning
has defined term: Financial Services
has defined term: Food and Beverage
has defined term: Fortune 500 Consulting
has defined term: Government Agencies
has defined term: Healthcare
has defined term: Higher Education
has defined term: Innovation competency development through action learning
has defined term: Innovation Cosmology
has defined term: Innovation Culture and Capability Building
has defined term: Innovation Culture Development
has defined term: Innovation ecosystems
has defined term: Innovation Genome
has defined term: Innovation strategy development
has defined term: Innovation Strategy
has defined term: Innovation Typologies (Artist, Engineer, Athlete, Sage)
has defined term: Leadership Development
has defined term: Leading creativity and innovation
has defined term: Management Education
has defined term: Manufacturing
has defined term: Measuring innovation and growth
has defined term: Military and Defense
has defined term: Not-for-profit Organizations
has defined term: Organizational Change
has defined term: Organizational Development
has defined term: Paradox-based organizational change
has defined term: Paradoxical Thinking / Paradox Mindset
has defined term: Pharmaceuticals
has defined term: Strategic Management
has defined term: Technology
has defined term: The 3Cs: Culture, Competencies, Community
has defined term: The Paradox Cycle
has defined term: Wholonics
type: DefinedTermSet

Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
description: Jeff DeGraff is the Dean of Innovation and one of the world's leading authorities on organizational innovation and transformational change.
language: en
publisher: Jeff DeGraff
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Home
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The School of Thought
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The School of Thought
about: Jeff DeGraff
breadcrumb: breadcrumb
date modified: 2026-06-16
date published: 2002-06-28
description: Jeff DeGraff is the Dean of Innovation and one of the world's leading authorities on organizational innovation and transformational change. He is an author, speaker, and consultant to the Fortune 500 and mission-driven organizations worldwide. Jeff DeGraff is also the Founder of Innovatrium, Founder of Intellectual Edge Alliance, and Clinical Professor of Management and Organizations at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Jeff co-created the Competing Values Framework and developed the Innovation Code and Innovation Genome methodologies which provide organizations with practical tools to reconcile competing priorities and drive breakthrough performance. His mission is the democratization of innovation: making systematic innovation accessible to everyone, everywhere, every day.
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is part of: Jeff DeGraff - The Dean of Innovation
main entity: Jeff DeGraff
publisher: Big House Enterprise
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Innovation Roundtable
about: Innovation
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  duration: 05:24
contributor: PerformanceRole
  performer: Jeff DeGraff
  role name: guest
date published: 2019-04-29
part of series: Innovation Roundtable
type: PodcastEpisode