If there's one characteristic above all others that defines modern business operations, it's change. Whether due to macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical challenges, or -- and perhaps most importantly of all -- rapid AI-enabled digital transformation, professionals who want to succeed in this fast-changing environment will need to adapt, and quickly.

One person who's made a career of successfully embracing change is Luke Gebb, head of global innovation at American Express. An entrepreneur by nature who's spent 25 years with the financial services giant, Gebb leads Amex Digital Labs, an innovation hub focused on creating new digital products for the firm's card members.

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In his role as head of innovation, he also works across the enterprise to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies, including generative AI and agentic commerce.

In a one-to-one interview, Gebb told ZDNET what defines successful innovators, and explained how his team is putting these skills to practice as Amex prepares for an agentic future.

Gebb said his role at Amex is about establishing a place where innovators can work and excel -- and he said that successful team players rise to the challenges they encounter.