Based on a decade of academic research
The i2 Skills Assessment is grounded in over a decade of research led by Dr. Jeanne Liedtka - one of the world’s leading experts in human-centered design and innovation, a respected author, and a professor at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
Drawing on insights from multiple studies on the characteristic skills and behaviors of successful business improvement teams, as well as research into how capabilities develop in MBAs and executives across a range of industries, Jeanne - along with co-authors Karen Hold and Jessica Eldridge in the book Experiencing Design - demonstrates that with the right mindsets and behaviors, anyone can innovate, create solutions, and make a meaningful impact in any role.
Dr Jeanne Liedtka
Karen Hold
Jessica Eldridge
A partnership built for real-world impact
The i2 Skills Assessment was developed in partnership with Treehouse Innovation, combining Jeanne’s rigorous academic research with Treehouse Innovation's 15+ years of experience leading and advising on innovation projects for major brands.
The result is a practical, evidence-based tool that identifies five core skill areas essential for building adaptable, change-ready teams.
Explore the i2 Skills
Click on the wheel to learn more about why each skill is important.
Opportunity Seeking Skills
Curiosity and persistence are crucial in helping us adapt to evolving conditions and innovate beyond conventional solutions that no longer serve us. This means challenging conventional wisdom, exploring non-traditional approaches, tolerating ambiguity, and resisting the need for quick closure - all essential mindsets for navigating complexity and driving meaningful change.
Relationship Skills
Strong, collaborative, and resilient relationships - both internal and external - are the foundation that enable organizations to withstand unexpected change and seize new opportunities. These relationships are built by listening to understand, treating differences as opportunities to learn, and deepening curiosity and connection with others.
Scientific Reasoning Skills
In times of uncertainty, the ability to test assumptions through experimentation and make data-driven decisions is key to managing risk effectively. This means treating ideas as hypotheses, conducting rigorous experiments, and being willing to be wrong in the pursuit of learning and improvement.
Presencing Skills
Visualization and prototyping skills allow you to make future possibilities feel real and tangible, enabling quick testing and faster implementation. This involves bringing concepts to life, making a future state feel real to others, and telling stories that invite feedback and spark collaboration.
Reflection Skills
Continuous learning and an awareness of blind spots ensure that decisions remain relevant, well-informed, and adaptable to changing environments. This starts with being introspective, self-aware, and able to push beyond the surface to uncover and articulate deeper meaning.