The challenges businesses face today are increasingly unpredictable and interdependent. Traditional business structures were built for different times and different challenges. These models helped companies to scale and thrive in a more predictable world, where efficiency, clear hierarchies, and specialization were the keys to success. But as the world has evolved, so too have the conditions for innovation.In todays fast-paced, globalized, and complex world, these outdated models actively hold teams back. Silos trap expertisepreventing the flow of fresh ideasrigid hierarchies create bottlenecks that slow down decision making when speed is essential, and a lack of clear vision can drain energy and resources, leaving critical problems unsolved. These traditional models arent just inefficientthey actively stifle innovation, making it harder to succeed in this new, rapidly evolving environment. This stagnation is evident in the U.S. economy, where labor productivity growth has significantly slowed since 2005. To break out of this productivity slump, companies need to adopt new models and modes of working that cultivate innovation and can keep pace with the modern rate of change.Build a foundation for innovationAt Whipsaw, collaboration is at the core of our ethos and process. Its built into our very namea whipsaw requires back-and-forth coordination between two operators to succeed. We know the best results come from continuous collaboration between our team and our clientsas well as the dynamic back-and-forth between design and engineering. For over two decades, weve crafted an environment where teams from all disciplines collaborate seamlessly to design beautiful, functional solutions to pressing problems.While speed is often critical, true innovation isnt always a linear or efficient process. It thrives in the space between exploration and executionwhere deep thinking, expansive exploration, and iteration are essential. Weve learned that to achieve great results, teams need the time and space to experiment, make mistakes, and refine their ideas. Weve been able to tackle complex challenges for our clients by designing a process that provides the time and creative space necessary for innovation while maintaining the momentum required to stay aligned with client deadlines. This approach ensures both exploration and execution happen at the right pace. Weve developed a frameworkclarity, collaboration, and confidenceto help businesses innovate while navigating todays world. Here are three practical steps that can elevate your innovation process:1. Start with clarity: Define the whyClarity is the foundation of any successful innovation effort. It ensures that everyoneinternally and externallyunderstands the problem being solved and why it matters. But often, the only thing clear at the start of a project is the process itself. Navigating ambiguity is a natural part of the innovation journey. We guide our clients through that uncertainty by spending time during our discovery phase to clarify business, customer, market, and technological needs, helping internal and client teams align and move forward with a shared vision.2. Nurture collaboration: Tap into collective expertiseCollaboration is the engine of innovation. But its not just about bringing people togetherits about creating an environment where diverse perspectives can thrive. Weve learned from our work with clients that the best ideas emerge when cross-functional teams, clients, and end users are involved. Weve built collaborative practices like co-creation workshops, stakeholder interviews, and design hootenanniesbringing fresh eyes from outside the project team to challenge assumptions and offer new perspectivesinto our process to ensure our innovations are relevant and well-informed. Its about avoiding silos, leveraging collective wisdom, and ensuring that all contributors are aligned toward a common goal.3. Empower confidence: Give teams autonomy to actInnovation requires confidenceconfidence in your teams expertise, vision, and process. Weve learned that autonomy is key to maintaining momentum. Teams need the freedom to make decisions and experiment without navigating endless approvals or rigid structures. But empowerment isnt just about giving the team space to act; its about creating an environment where they feel safe to test ideas, fail fast, and adapt quickly. Weve found success in cultivating a culture of empowerment and growth. While our teams have the autonomy to innovate, they are supported by leaders who know when to encourage exploration and when to provide key insights to drive the next stage of innovationthey guide teams past obstacles and help drive innovation forward, even amidst uncertainty. Weve seen that this blend of autonomy and strategic guidance fuels creativity and accelerates decision making.Dont be forced to follow innovation; lead itThe businesses that win today arent just reacting to changetheyre driving it. Traditional models may have worked in the past, but those old systems will hold you back in todays fast-moving, tech-driven, complex world. The path forward? Embrace clarity, collaboration, and confidencethree simple principles that have helped Whipsaw define new markets and create products with impact. So, if youre looking to stay competitive in todays evolving landscape, its time to foster the right culture, trust your teams, and create innovation built to last.Dan Harden is CEO and principal designer at Whipsaw.