??7 skills in future foresight

Futures thinking is an incredibly useful, practical tool to prepare your mind to adapt faster to new challenges, build hope and resilience, reduce anxiety and depression, and inspire you to take actions today that set yourself up for future happiness and success. (Jane McGonigal, Institute for the future)

About a year ago, I embarked on an exhilarating journey through the Institute for the Future's Future Thinking course. Like all training methods, it's not just about what you learn; it's about putting it into action. For me, Future Thinking became the secret sauce, enhancing my work in mission-oriented innovation. It filled a void in the mission innovation mindset, a vital piece of the puzzle that brings us closer to a sustainable future.

? I've written a seven-part series of the 7 crucial skills in future foresight.

7 skills in future foresight:

?? Skill 1: Think in 10-year timeframes!

?? Skill 2: Collect and analyze signals of change

?? Skill 3: Use signals to identify drivers of change

?? Skill 4: Combine signals and drivers into forecasts

?? Skill 5: Develop scenarios from your forecast

?? Skill 6: Use scenarios to discover surprising possibilities

?? Skill 7: Practice strong opinions, lightly held

?? When to use your future foresight skills?

Collecting and analyzing signals; making forecasts; and creating scenarios – these are all a daily and regular part of the work of a futurist. In your own work, these practices should be the starting point for any new futures thinking or innovation work. Signals, forecasts and scenarios are where you start, and where you come back to whenever you need a fresh view of the future.

Foresight is crucial for anticipating trends, enabling strategic planning, and fostering innovation. It provides a proactive approach to risk management, helping identify and mitigate potential challenges. By incorporating foresight, individuals and organizations gain a competitive advantage, enhance adaptability, and make informed decisions that contribute to long-term success. Foresight is a key tool for navigating an ever-changing landscape and future-proofing strategies.

?? Strengths you develop by building your future foresight skills

Forecasting skills are particularly useful for developing stronger foresight and greater creativity.

Creativity - You transcend traditional ideas and invent new possibilities. You can imagine things that don’t exist today, or have never happened before.

Foresight – You anticipate hard-to-see possibilities that others can’t, or won’t, see. You DON’T get blindsided by the future. You see it coming.

?? Some closing thoughts

My hope is that these articles aren't just ideas on a screen but practical tools in your toolkit. Let's imagine a future where the skills we've explored become second nature, guiding you and others through the twists and turns of what lies ahead. Let's apply these insights and actively shape the future we desire. In facing the uncertain future, heed Jane McGonigal's advice: "Hold your opinions about the future lightly." Embrace open-mindedness, evidence scrutiny, and diverse perspectives to enhance foresight and foster a collaborative environment for imaginative visions to thrive in our ever-evolving landscape of possibilities.

Note: All the information in the article is sourced from Institute for the Future's courses Futures Thinking Specialization and Scenario Building and Jane McGonigal's book Imaginable.