How do you prepare for emerging trends in your field?

Digital tools offer a wealth of data on emerging patterns, but the significance of human discernment is irreplaceable. Merging data-centric findings with human intuition equips your team more effectively for industry changes.

Subscribe to industry reports by Gartner Forrester, IDC etc, watch news, listen to podcasts, talk to peers and industry leaders. Attending local meetups and conferences can also provide unique insights into industry trends and emerging technology.

I'd encourage everyone to undergo this experiment - Give yourself 4 weeks and learn everything possible about one specific emerging trend. At the end of 4 weeks ask 4 questions to an industry expert on a professional platform like LinkedIn. Tell me what worked and what didn't. For me, this dedicated time-bound approach resulted in pursuing cybersecurity as my career path. If you feel generous, you can even share your notes with others who have similar goals.

In my experience, staying ahead of emerging trends in our field requires a proactive approach. I believe that continuous learning and experimentation are paramount. To truly understand these trends, one must immerse oneself in a constant cycle of education and hands-on application. This means not only consuming information through various mediums but also actively experimenting with new ideas and solutions to stay innovative and adaptable.

Working within a network or community is one of the best ways to prepare for emerging trends, especially when you intentionally seek out diverse perspectives, so that you can track ideas that you wouldn't normally be exposed to. One of my favorite connections I made was with a young military member who founded Air Force Gaming, a space I know nothing about. Connecting to him opened my eyes to the incredible trend of using gaming to socially connect and build support, especially for the younger generation that prefers digital connections.

Preparing for emerging trends involves active collaboration and networking. I believe in the power of collective intelligence and diverse perspectives to fuel innovation. By engaging with colleagues, peers, mentors, and industry experts, one can gain valuable insights, learn from best practices, and stay ahead of the curve in our rapidly evolving field.

For your team to actively engage with emerging trends, they must first understand them. By promoting open dialogues and brainstorming, you're not just discussing trends but actively preparing for their impact on your field.

Shifts in the world of work happen regularly. Anticipating these changes is key to staying on top of trends. By continuously learning and inspiring a culture of self-improvement, teams level up. As a leader, encouraging this behavior and providing support along the way is crucial for continual professional development. Organizations benefit when their team members position themselves at the forefront of emerging trends.

Nurture your soul and stay anchored to your biggest audacious WHY Carving the time to simply be is the most important do. We leaders have to pour our glass first before we can serve others. Walking in solitude. Surrounded by nature. Connecting to the source of a future energy. Asking oneself some uncomfortable and yet necessary questions as: What lies I keep telling myself? What truths do I ignore? What do I fear? How different can I become on the other side of that fear? Whom I could become when I stop betraying and start living fully aligned with my soul? How is the world better off because me as whole leader and my business are in it? That is the deep inner work that lays the unshakable foundation for staying anchored to your WHY.