Corporate leaders often talk about creating a "culture of innovation" within their companies. When having these conversations, they often act as if organizational culture is some mythical creature that comes down from the mountain to greet the people. Most leaders are unaware of their power to change the culture of their companies and instead find themselves imitating trends and fads.

Most of what is considered "innovation culture" is "innovation theater." Having rooms with business model canvases, sharpies and sticky notes is not innovation culture. Neither is opening an innovation lab or working with startup accelerators . . .