How can you anticipate trends in culture change?

3 Engage with the stakeholders of change

The third step to anticipate trends in culture change is to engage with the stakeholders of change that are influencing or affected by the change. Stakeholders of change are the people or groups that have a stake or interest in the change, such as customers, employees, partners, competitors, regulators, or activists. You can use methods such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, workshops, or co-creation to communicate and collaborate with the stakeholders of change and to understand their needs, expectations, opinions, or feedback.

4 Experiment with the possibilities of change

The fourth step to anticipate trends in culture change is to experiment with the possibilities of change that are generated by the drivers, signals, and stakeholders of change. Possibilities of change are the opportunities or challenges that arise from the change, such as new markets, products, services, processes, or models. You can use techniques such as prototyping, testing, piloting, or launching to explore and validate the possibilities of change and to learn from your failures and successes.

5 Adapt to the realities of change

The fifth step to anticipate trends in culture change is to adapt to the realities of change that are shaped by the drivers, signals, stakeholders, and possibilities of change. Realities of change are the outcomes or consequences of the change, such as new norms, values, beliefs, or behaviors. You can use strategies such as learning, feedback, improvement, or innovation to adjust and optimize your organization or your society to the realities of change and to create value and impact.

6 Anticipate the next wave of change

The sixth and final step to anticipate trends in culture change is to anticipate the next wave of change that will emerge from the realities of change. The next wave of change is the potential or future change that will result from the interaction and evolution of the drivers, signals, stakeholders, possibilities, and realities of change. You can use foresight, vision, or imagination to anticipate the next wave of change and to prepare yourself and your organization or your society for the future.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?