“Innovation isn’t about doing more — it’s about doing M.O.R.E.: Managing perceptions, Owning the purpose, Reassessing the path, and Expanding what’s possible.” 

I still remember the day we launched our global compliance dashboard. On paper, it was flawless — a cross-regional rollout across four continents, eight stakeholder groups, and channel partners synced together through real-time reporting. Every sprint was planned, integrations mapped, the Gantt chart — chef’s kiss. 

And yet, a few weeks in, things started to unravel — not because the system broke, but because people weren’t using it. 

In one region, users reverted to their trusted Excel sheets. In another, teams bypassed the workflow altogether. When we asked for feedback, one line struck me like a lightning bolt: 

“It works… but it wasn’t built with us in mind.” 

It hit me then: the dashboard was technically sound but emotionally disconnected. We had managed the project beautifully. But had we managed perception? 

We hit pause. And this time, instead of pushing harder, we got curious. We asked: “What would make this work for you?” 

Their answers were refreshingly simple. They didn’t ask for AI features or dashboards that glowed. They wanted: 

• A clear explanation of why it mattered; 

• Flexibility to adapt it locally; 

• Support in their own language; 

• One page that made sense without a manual.  

That conversation changed everything. And it changed me. 

It sparked a mindset shift that I later recognized as exactly what PMI articulated through M.O.R.E.: Manage Perceptions. Own the Why. Relentlessly Reassess. Expand Perspectives. 

M – Manage Perceptions 

Innovation isn’t just about building right—it’s about making people feel seen, heard, and part of the solution. 

We embedded real-time feedback tools into the dashboard. AI sentiment analysis helped us detect emotional friction we’d have otherwise missed. We even personalized interfaces by region through digital experience platforms. 

And slowly, the skepticism faded. When users saw themselves reflected in the solution, adoption followed 

 O – Own the Why 

Somewhere in the pressure to deliver, we’d lost the purpose. Innovation helped us find it again. 

We shifted from building to spec to building with meaning anchoring every decision in who we serve and why it matters. 

Tools like Figma helped us co-design with users in real time. Miro allowed us to map user journeys, not just process flows. And with Typeform, we gathered focused, story-driven feedback that revealed what truly resonated. 

Owning the why meant putting purpose before process and making it visible at every step. 

R – Relentlessly Reassess 

That wake-up call made me embrace reassessment like never before. 

We moved away from static planning into living, breathing sprints. With AI copilots, iterative reviews, and continuous retrospectives, we didn’t just avoid risks—we learned from them. 

Resilience became part of our delivery rhythm. 

We also used digital tools to simulate different outcomes and explore “what if” scenarios—enabling us to test assumptions, adjust priorities, and course-correct faster than ever. 

E – Expand Perspectives 

The real breakthrough came when we invited in people we’d never thought to include—customer support, regional leads, even the end users themselves. 

They challenged our assumptions, offered unexpected ideas, and helped us build something together. We explored tools like virtual simulations, global collaboration boards, and accessibility reviews — each one helping us see through a different lens. 

Innovation thrived because we stopped building in isolation—and started listening across boundaries. 

Looking back, that project didn’t just deliver a dashboard. It became a launchpad—for inclusion, for innovation, for possibility. 

Because we didn’t just do more — we did M.O.R.E. 

And that made all the difference. 

So, the next time you’re staring at a green status report and something still feels off, take a breath and ask: 

Are we on track… or are we on purpose? 

Because sometimes, the most impactful outcome isn’t the project you planned—It’s the possibility you dared to pursue.