The Innovation Show

The Harmony of Ra and Horus: Bridging Exploit and Explore F Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.” In times of turbulence, leaders must balance the two opposing ideas of exploit and explore. Ra and Horus, two pivotal figures in Egyptian mythology, symbolise the dual forces of power and intuition, rationality and creativity. Together as Ra-Horakhty, they embody a unification of opposites. In organisational terms, this metaphor captures the balance between exploitation — the optimisation of current capabilities — and exploration — the pursuit of new possibilities. Inspired by my recent conversation with Mike Tushman and Charles O’Reilly and James March’s seminal work on organisational learning, this post explores how integrating these dual forces fosters ambidexterity, enabling organisations to thrive in both the present and the future. Ra: The Organisational Force of Exploi