Keynote talk on “Innovation in the Public Sector” for one of the largest transportation infrastructure organizations in the world. This was the inaugural Innovation Summit for Caltrans employees across California. I emphasized that innovation requires experimentation; and experimentation involves trial and error. That much is obvious; but too many organizations talk about the importance of innovation, yet perpetuate a culture of “trial and terror” in which many employees feel afraid to offer their own ideas for improving the status quo. To combat that, I suggested a simple invitational mantra to unlock those innovative possibilities across the organization: A.C.T. A=Ask questions; C=Challenge assumptions; T=try something new.