The Forgotten Innovation Lesson Every Leader Needs to Hear
Sep 05, 2025
Long before Google existed, there was The Daily Telegraph’s Information Bureau.
Set up in 1948, it was staffed by a team of highly educated women who could track down anything—facts, statistics, historical references, market data. They weren’t just researchers. They were problem-solvers, connectors, and innovators.
In many ways, they were Google—decades before the internet.
But in the 1990s, an accountant told them:
“Start charging for your services, or we’ll shut you down.”
He saw them as a cost.
What happened next was extraordinary. Instead of closing shop, they came back with a bold idea:
“We’ll turn this into a joint venture. You can keep using us, but we’ll own and run it.”
They understood what the accountant didn’t—the value wasn’t in the library, it was in knowing how to use it.
The Telegraph agreed. The Bureau spun out, and it continues to this day.
The Leadership Lesson
Innovation isn’t just about technology. It’s about people—the ones who see possibilities others miss.
And here’s the truth:
If you undervalue them, dismiss them, or say “no” too often, don’t be surprised when innovation dries up… or walks out the door.
The question for leaders is simple:
Are you empowering your “Information Bureau” people—or frustrating them?
The Transformation Leaders Can Create
When I work with leaders, this lesson shows up often. Through emotional intelligence training and coaching, leaders learn to:
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Listen differently—to hear the ideas beneath the surface.
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Create safety so people feel confident to share bold solutions.
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Recognise and nurture hidden talent that might otherwise be overlooked.
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Build cultures where innovation isn’t left to chance—it becomes part of how the team operates.
And the transformation?
Teams stop playing it safe. They bring their creativity forward. They feel valued. And breakthrough ideas emerge.
Want to Unlock Hidden Innovation in Your Team?
This is exactly the kind of transformation I help leaders create. Coaching and EQ training isn’t just about self-awareness—it’s about building cultures where trust, problem-solving, and innovation thrive.
🔗 Book a coaching session with me here
Don’t miss the opportunity to empower your “Information Bureau” people—they might just be sitting on your company’s next big breakthrough.