E13: Navigating uncertainty & value creation.

E13: Navigating uncertainty & value creation.


This episode discusses the theme of navigating change and creating value. I would like to call John Sanei as a guru of change, and the conversation went into the importance of optimism in times of uncertainty. John expresses his mission to bring more optimism to decision-makers, highlighting optimism as a superpower people often underestimate.

John Sanei shared the societal addiction to certainty and how it affects individuals' ability to be optimistic in the face of uncertainty. He emphasizes the need to develop the skill of optimism, especially during times of change, as it reflects an Explorer archetype characterized by courage and hope.

On the personal side, John shared his journey, stating that he initially led a life addicted to certainty but faced a crisis at the age of 31 when he went bankrupt. This experience led him to reevaluate his approach to life, and he discovered the real superpower of adaptability.

He encourages individuals to shift their focus from comparing themselves to others and measuring success based on their own criteria.

Then, the conversation went into the broader context of the change in society.

John discusses the cyclical nature of change, drawing parallels to historical cycles and the current period of uncertainty. He mentions the concept of the "fourth turning," where every 80 years, humanity goes through a cycle of social unrest, political divide, financial collapse, and war. According to John, we are currently in the crisis aspect of this cycle, with an expected end around 2028-2030.

John advises individuals to understand and accept their place in the current change cycle. He stresses the importance of unhooking from the addiction to certainty and managing expectations. John believes adaptability is crucial in navigating change, as the future is more about how individuals react to what is coming rather than predicting what will come.

The discussion shifts from individuals to companies and how they can navigate uncertainty on a larger scale. The conversation starts by highlighting companies' challenges in the current dynamic and rapidly changing market. John shared that even the world's largest businesses have made decisions that fell short. Many examples of how AI , machine learning and data science disrupting big giants' business.

John notes that the smartest people in the world, with significant legacies in their industries, often struggle to see new opportunities due to their ingrained mindset and educational background.

John argues that today's leaders are excellent at economies of scale and addicted to quarterly profits, which hinders their ability to foresee and seize new opportunities.

John highlights that traditional leaders are so deeply entrenched in their profit-driven mentality and may overlook emerging trends and disruptors. The conversation urges companies to break free from the addiction to traditional profit-driven models and embrace a new level of awareness. It highlights the importance of adaptability and openness to change, urging leaders to reconsider their approaches in the face of uncertainty. The examples provided underscore the idea that embracing new technologies and innovative business models is crucial for navigating the evolving landscape of the business world.

They're so addicted to profit and quarterly profits that they don't even know that they're so addicted to it it's so intertwined into their heads they're so programmed for it that they can't even think adaptably. John Said

At the end of the conversation, we agreed that with the rise of AI, specific jobs and industries will inevitably disappear. Still, new opportunities and jobs will also emerge. The example of cyber cafes in the late 1990s illustrates the concept of businesses disappearing while new ones arise.

The discussion explores the idea that AI will lead to the disappearance of certain jobs and industries. However, it also suggests that AI has the potential to create new opportunities and industries that may still need to be fully understood or predicted at present. John stresses the importance of adapting and staying ahead of these changes, urging business leaders and executives to embrace a mindset that focuses on building new capabilities and exploring AI's possibilities.

John highlights that more than traditional R&D and innovation teams within organizations may be required to fully grasp and capitalize on the opportunities presented by AI.

Banking is never disrupted by Bankers you know NASA wasn't disrupted by a space guy Elon Musk not a space guy you know Mercedes-Benz wasn't like Tesla didn't arrive from a car guy he's not a car guy is it he's a different guy and so you have to ask yourself like how much are you actually thinking about tomorrow and you think that your R&D plans are going to make it. John Said

so we need for "tomorrow teams." composed of individuals with diverse skill sets, including data science and gaming, who can think outside the traditional industry mindset and develop disruptive ideas.

How that sounds it sounds like you're a petulant teenage boy who doesn't no I'm I'm not thinking about tomorrow I only want to think about today and it's unfortunate that the whole system is built for an old life an old world this this old system doesn't work. John Said

John discusses how various professions, from strategists to writers to speakers, are susceptible to disruption by AI. The analogy of AI being as accessible as electricity in the future conveys the idea that AI will become an integral part of our lives.

We need a positive and proactive approach to engaging with AI, advocating for acceptance and adaptability. The importance of unlearning old patterns and embracing new ways of thinking is emphasized, with the speaker sharing personal experiences of exploring different businesses and experimenting with new ideas.

The concept of a "tomorrow team" is introduced, suggesting the need for individuals and organizations to build teams with diverse skill sets to navigate the evolving landscape of technology and AI.

In the end, John shared a note to reflect on the Gen Z generation, acknowledging their unique characteristics and the need for older generations to learn from them rather than impose their own ways. He expresses admiration for Gen Z's desire for uniqueness and individuality, citing examples of successful individuals from the generation who have created a significant impact in the digital space.

Overall, the discussion promotes a mindset of openness, adaptability, and continuous learning in the face of technological advancements, highlighting the importance of embracing change rather than fearing it.


Mohamed Isa

Boosting Productivity & Sales for Industry Leaders through Customized Keynotes | 24+ Years of International Business Experience | Award-Winning Speaker | Bestselling Author | Coach | CFO | Board Member

1 年

That was a good read! Mahmoud Reda

Sanjeev Singh

CEO - PeopleQuest Consulting Pvt Ltd, Managing Partner - NeeeV Innovation

1 年

Great share Reda so well written in a simplified manner

Mahmoud Reda

???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???? ???????????????? I Digital transformation I End to End Finance I Podcast Host FNF I High-Level Strategic Planning

1 年
回复
Mahmoud Reda

???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???? ???????????????? I Digital transformation I End to End Finance I Podcast Host FNF I High-Level Strategic Planning

1 年
回复
Mahmoud Reda

???????????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???? ???????????????? I Digital transformation I End to End Finance I Podcast Host FNF I High-Level Strategic Planning

1 年
回复

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Mahmoud Reda的更多文章

  • E20: The Intersection of Finance and Hospitality

    E20: The Intersection of Finance and Hospitality

    In the last episode of the "Finance for Non-Finance" podcast, Rabia, a finance leader with extensive global experience,…

    6 条评论
  • E19: Sailing Through storms: How the CEO and CFO partner to thrive in VUCA

    E19: Sailing Through storms: How the CEO and CFO partner to thrive in VUCA

    In the latest episode of the finance-oriented podcast "Finance for Non-Finance," Khaled Akl, a seasoned business…

    12 条评论
  • E18: The Evolving landscape of Finance

    E18: The Evolving landscape of Finance

    The conversation begins with observing how technological evolution has led to assessments of its impact on various…

    6 条评论
  • E17: Inescapable Brands with a Financial Edge

    E17: Inescapable Brands with a Financial Edge

    I still remember my first consumer connect was like an eye opener where we set behind the glass and observed consumer…

    6 条评论
  • E16: From Crisis to Prosperity

    E16: From Crisis to Prosperity

    In Latest episode of a finance-focused podcast, we had the privilege of hearing from Ralph KHOURY , a CFO renowned for…

    9 条评论
  • E15: Finance in Tech Industry

    E15: Finance in Tech Industry

    In this episode of the "Finance for Non-Finance" podcast, the guest Amel Chouikh , a finance professional with a global…

    5 条评论
  • E14: The impact of technology on financial management

    E14: The impact of technology on financial management

    In the dynamic domain where Finance and technology engage in a fascinating dance, Vineet Jain takes center stage as the…

    11 条评论
  • E12: A journey to financial wellness

    E12: A journey to financial wellness

    In the latest podcast conversation, Noura Zein shed some light on the complex relationship between pressure, financial…

    6 条评论
  • E11: Procurement Value Proposition

    E11: Procurement Value Proposition

    Last year, during a one of focus group session, I had the pleasure of meeting Captain Bill Moosa ツ ; his insights…

    7 条评论
  • E10: Introduction to Treasury

    E10: Introduction to Treasury

    In the world of finance, where questions about the core of a business's operations are abundant, the role of cash…

    8 条评论

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了