Progressive Thinking

The 1st Element

Begin with the end in mind

So often said

Too infrequently followed

In the

End

L + E + A = Progressive

Have you ever driven in rain?so heavy you knew you really should not be driving?

Remember how it felt. Barely able to see?what was in front of you, every sense heightened, tensed for possible collision.

The critical question is:

Did your lack of vision and clarity?

cause you to travel faster?or slower?

I am guessing you slowed down.

Significantly.

This is exactly what happens if our vision?and strategic planning processes resist?change and fail to anticipate environmental shifts. Causing doubt and uncertainty?for those travelling?with us.

It does not have to be like this. You can avoid this uncertainty and accelerate forward by lifting your strategy and organisational culture through thinking more progressively.

As a futurist I started out thinking that my role was to clear the windscreen. So that others could see a perfectly clear view forward. Until I realised how ridiculous that ambition was.

Throughout time it has been proven that no one can predict exactly what our future holds. Even Nostradamus, the legendary French?astrologer, physician and reputed seer, who famously seemed to predict historically?significant events, framed his prophecies?in vague language open to interpretation – making it impossible to discern the accuracy of the predictions?made. While some may be able to predict with greater accuracy than others – at times – no one is consistently accurate across all aspects.

Instead the role of a futurist?and of a leader is to guide forward by increasing clarity. Rather than the impossible clearing of the windscreen, think of it as seeing lights through the haze.

With no light, all confidence goes.

A few faint lights give a sense of direction.

While amplifying?faint signals through the darkness can inspire the way forward.

Leap Progressively Forward

Mnemonics?are memory tools that accelerate learning by matching new concepts to familiar patterns, often by matching new concepts to a known word or phrase.

The Mindleap mnemonic LEAP equips you to remember the four directions to develop your thinking in. To make greater progress in work and life by leaping forward.

Beginning with the P signifying Progressive Thinking.

Beginning?

It is no coincidence that unexpectedly the 1st Element appears at the end. Emphasising the need for us to think and move – to leap – in unexpected directions. While applying the timeless principle of beginning with the end in mind.

It is a critical principle. Deceptively obvious. Otherwise how can we hit a target we cannot see? Potentially if we make enough attempts, through random luck we might hit a goal. The odds are greatly increased if we can visualise?the target we are aiming for.

Thinking progressively involves aiming to see further forward than others can. From the past to the present into the future.

This is made easier by literally thinking forward.

Try looking out a window?or to the horizon, staring into the distance, visualising what others might be missing. Then in your mind overlay the topic of consideration. Imagining yourself peering into the future of that change.

Looking progressively beyond the predictable.

So while others are figuring out how to get from A to B, visionary leaders are progressively thinking about how to leap from A to P.

Mindleap in Action

Progressive Thinking

While discussing the future of the workplace, you might notice?others using relatively predictable phrases such as digital transformation?and artificial intelligence in a very general way. While these phrases can sound future-focused, as others are also talking about similar shifts across all organisations, it is not as progressive as it could be.

Leaping your mind?forward can lead to the realisation that workplaces have been digitally transforming for decades. That greater artificial intelligence in the workplace will shift the nature of the tasks people are doing.

Leading you to progressively think and guide others to explore what shifts in daily patterns and meeting structures might be needed for your teams – from new ways of prioritising work to surfacing the right information at the most productive moments.

Enhance Your Peripheral Vision

Although thinking progressively is about looking forward, also keep in mind that change can begin on the edges. So keep your eyes and mind open wider than others. Scanning the horizon.

Look for changes in how those around you are living and working. Do not look?for only what is popular or commonplace, because change begins at the edges. Think of this like checking your blind spots as you accelerate forward. Moving forward with greater confidence through increased awareness of your surroundings.

At the same time avoid making the mistake of overlooking the obvious. As well as exploring faint signals, develop a deliberate habit of exploring what the dominant forces are doing. Then look below the surface – exploring further – to discover things others are missing.

Vision Strategically

We do not realise our ambitions alone. As well as developing your own ability to think progressively, inspire and guide others to also see the way forward with increased clarity. This in turn increases confidence, enabling greater momentum.

Visionary leaders have an ability to inspire others to progress forward. Strategically guiding them ahead. With enough clarity of the destination to inspire momentum, combined with enough freedom to not restrict progress.

It is a difficult balance, yet pivotal to moving forward.

Leveraging the talents of those around you.

Summary

• Begin with the end in mind.
• LEAP forward with Progressive Thinking.
• Spot signals of change through the haze.
• Explore beyond the predictable by scanning the edges and looking beyond the surface.
• Inspire others forward with greater clarity of direction.

This is a chapter from our book Futurework – A Guidebook for The Future of Work

Inspire

Inspire forward with new possibilities

As a Futurist living on the edge of the world, I’ve presented on stages and screens across the globe from San?Francisco to South Auckland to Sydney.

> Speaking

Shift

Gain momentum by shifting perspectives

Facilitation is a complex process. In a complex world it’s only getting more complex. Fortunately it’s the complexity of facilitating that inspires the way we work.

> Facilitation

Upskill

Upskill to transform the future

Adaptive. Digital. Collaborative. Diverse. Inclusive. If you look at the critical shifts happening within modern workplaces, they’re designed to enable organisations to become more responsive.

> Leadership