Using foresight to work in the space of not knowing.
In a future not unlike tomorrow...
Lynette looked out the window and sighed.
"I do feel more comfortable now than ever before," she admitted to herself.
This was a rare acknowledgment given the journey she had been on over the past 12 months.
Lynette was a CEO of a for-purpose organisation. Whilst her deep experience had given her strong comfort with the day-to-day operations, she had become increasingly uncomfortable with planning long-term. The world was constantly changing and changing fast. She worried about not knowing what was coming next and what the best course of action would be for her organisation. She wanted to deliver impact and future growth and knew that she needed to get more comfortable with working in the space of not knowing.
Despite the challenges that come with not knowing what futures may hold, Lynette believed that it was still possible to plan long-term and deliver impact and future growth. She saw it as a leadership responsibility to improve her ability to work in the space of not knowing, to create better futures for all.
Lynette had read an article on futures intelligence and using trend and emerging change data about futures to create scenarios. After reading the article, Lynette decided to give it a try.
Lynette gathered her team together and briefed them on the article. She explained that they would be working on developing scenarios for their organisation, using data about trends signals and emerging change. The team was hesitant at first but soon got on board with the idea.
The team gathered data on trends in their sector, as well as global trends. They also used a consultant, insight & foresight, who gave them access to the world-leading Futures Platform™ database of futurist curated phenomena. They used this data to develop a range of scenarios for their organisation. These scenarios ranged from the most likely to the least likely, and everything in between. The team then discussed each scenario and what it would mean for their organisation's planning. They identified actions that they could take now to prepare for each scenario if it emerged.
This strategic foresight exercise helped Lynette and her team to get more comfortable with working in the space of not knowing. It also helped them to see that even though they couldn't predict the future, they could still take action to prepare for it, and even influence it. This made them feel more confident about their ability to navigate futures and deliver impact and future growth.
Working in the space of not knowing.
To plan for futures, innovate and be creative, we must first invite the unknown into our organisations. This can be a difficult task, as we are often afraid of the unknown or unfamiliar. However, if we can let go of our desire for certainty and familiarity, we can open ourselves up to new possibilities. By embracing uncertainty, we allow ourselves to explore new ideas and ways of thinking. Working in the space of not knowing can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary to create something new.
There are many ways to let go of certainty. One way is to simply recognise that certainty is not always possible. We cannot predict what futures will appear, and therefore we must be willing to accept uncertainty. Another way to let go of certainty is to embrace change. Change is inevitable, and by accepting it, we can learn to adapt and be comfortable with the new and unknown.
Certainty is often seen as a desirable state, but it can lead to rigidity and a lack of creativity. To be innovative, we must be willing to work in the space of not knowing and accept that uncertainty is part of the long-term planning process. By doing so, we can open ourselves up to new possibilities and create futures that are better than we could have ever imagined.
Planning and decision-making in uncertain times.
The best way to deal with uncertainty will vary depending on the situation. However, some tips for dealing with uncertainty include being flexible, staying open-minded, and not being afraid to take risks. Additionally, it is important to remember that uncertainty is a part of life and that it is impossible to predict futures with 100% accuracy.
When faced with uncertainty, it is important to stay calm and think clearly. When doing your long-term planning it is important to make sure that you are taking the time to gather all of the information, both internal and external sources, before making a decision. Once you have all of the information, you can then start to workshop different solutions. After you have workshopped different solutions, it is important to evaluate each solution and decide which one will work best for your organisation in the futures you think are most likely to appear.
After you have made a decision, it is important to monitor the situation and be prepared to adjust your plans if necessary. Additionally, it is important to communicate your plans to others in your organisation so that they are aware of what is going on and can help to implement the plan.
Foresight and futures intelligence to manage uncertainty.
Foresight can be used to manage uncertainty in several ways. First, foresight can help us to understand the nature of uncertainty and change, and how it affects our organisation. By understanding uncertainty, we can learn to adapt to change and be more comfortable with the unknown.
Second, futures intelligence can help us to anticipate change and be prepared for the future. By understanding trends and change patterns, we can make better decisions about our organisation's futures. Additionally, futures intelligence can help us to identify weak signals and potential black swans.
Finally, foresight and futures intelligence can help us to build scenarios. Scenarios are alternative futures that help us to explore the implications of different choices. By building scenarios, we can make better decisions to prepare for a variety futures and to adapt our plans as the world changes around us.
Uncertainty is a part of life. To be successful, it is important to learn to deal with uncertainty in a productive way. There are several ways to do this, but some of the most important include being flexible, staying open-minded, and not being afraid to take risks. Additionally, it is important to use foresight and futures intelligence to understand the nature of uncertainty and how it affects our lives. By doing so, we can make better decisions about our futures and be prepared for what might happen next.
What about Lynette?
Lynette's story shows that it is possible to get more comfortable with working in the space of not knowing. Here are three tips to help you get started:
Gather data: Look for data on trends, signals, and emerging change in your sector, as well as globally. This will help you to develop a range of scenarios for your organisation.
Develop scenarios: Use the data you've gathered to create a range of futures scenarios for your organisation. These should range across probable, possible, preferred, and wild-card scenarios.
Take action: Once you've developed your scenarios, identify actions that you can take now to prepare for each one. This will help you to feel more confident about your ability to navigate the future.
How can insight & foresight help?
insight & foresight helps leaders make better decisions by giving you a clear view of both your present and your futures. This way, you can weigh your options more thoughtfully and choose solutions that preserve your present while still helping you move in new and bold future directions. Get in touch with us today.
