---
id: "action-embed-team-members"
type: "action-item"
source_timestamps: ["¶7"]
tags: ["tactics", "cross-functional"]
related: ["concept-contextual-intelligence", "framework-three-functions-of-bridgers"]
action: "Embed innovation team members into partner departments to learn their operating models and constraints firsthand."
outcome: "Deepened contextual intelligence and alignment of product launch tasks with partner operating models."
source_url: "https://hbr.org/2026/03/why-great-innovations-fail-to-scale"
source_title: "Why Great Innovations Fail to Scale"
sources: ["futures"]
sourceVaultSlug: "hbr-seg-futures"
originDay: 2
articleStem: "hbr-nm-102-innovations-fail-to-scale"
sourceUrl: "https://hbr.org/2026/03/why-great-innovations-fail-to-scale"
sourceTitle: "Why Great Innovations Fail to Scale"
---
# Embed innovation team members into partner groups

**Action:** To build [[concept-contextual-intelligence|contextual intelligence]] and trust, physically or virtually **embed** members of the innovation team directly into the operational groups (e.g., IT, marketing) they need to partner with. This lets them learn firsthand about the partner's scope of work, past challenges, and necessary capabilities.

**Outcome:** Deepened contextual intelligence and alignment of product-launch tasks with partner operating models. This is a practical on-ramp to the [[framework-three-functions-of-bridgers|curating and translating]] functions.