"In this group I feel like a colleague, and that is how it should be." This was Jonathan Clark @jonathanatwork a patient stakeholder who life was saved by CAR-T therapy referring to the @t2evolve_imi consortium. Making patient stakeholders true partners in projects is an innovation leadership skill that medical researchers need to embrace. No, just asking their feedback on the informed consent form is not a sufficient level of involvement. Take the bold step and make patient stakeholders true partners in the project. Here are some areas to involve patient stakeholders in: - vision building - communication - pilot or seed projects - gathering wider patient stakeholder perspectives - policy briefs - implementation research The diversity that matters is the diversity of perspective and is an easy way to bring this into any medical research and innovation project.