Rhetoric
Futurist Jim Carroll
Global Futurist. Artificial Intelligence & Disruptive Trends Keynote Speaker. Specializes in CEO/CxO leadership meetings & events. Booked by clients like Disney, World Bank, Mercedes Benz, NASA, Pfizer
"Offer ideas. Not threats." - Futurist Jim Carroll
I guess I'm on a bit of a rant this week, but I'm running with it, and I'll offer up one more thought in this thread tomorrow, before getting back to my regular mix of inspiration posts. And stuff on 'being unique.'
I can't help but notice the difference in the way that people are positioning tomorrow. Some offer up the hope of opportunity, while others share the threat of vengeance. The inspiration of ideas, not the threat of fear. The suggestion of potential vs the rhetoric denigration. I've never quite understood this - what is the purpose of threats and fear, other than the pursuit of one's own goals and power?
No doubt the future, and many of the trends that come with it, can certainly hurt many people. It involves a lot of changes to jobs, careers, companies, industries, skills, knowledge, and more. If you don't adapt to what it represents, it might not go well. But you should be inspired to change - not be threatened by someone if you don't! ?The fact is, every trend is both a threat and an opportunity. Disruptors recognize the former and minimize the latter!
In that context, your frame of mind is everything. You can wake up every day and dread what you see – or you can start your day out with the mindset that it’s another day of massive potential and creative opportunity! I'll often share this type of story on stage; some years ago, I was keynoting the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. Over 700 local executives from throughout the city attended the event - my keynote took a look at over 20 trends that are providing opportunities in the global economy. Going in, at that moment in time, the US was once again on the ropes with its never-ending political soap opera, but I also knew that senior executives were eager to understand where the global economy was really headed.?
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So why would we carry an attitude of potential failure into our daily work or business activities? Why would we adopt a mindset that aligns us to failure? Why would we look at the day ahead with fear and trepidation rather than excitement and enthusiasm? And yet, that’s all too easy to do when it comes to the future and trends – because it’s the unknown world of potential upheaval that scares us - and what happens when we are fed a story of fear, not hope?
For a long time, I’ve realized that there are many in my audience who do not like the future at all – to them, it represents disruption, change, and challenge. It’s a threat to be feared. And yet, many others view it not in this negative way, but as an opportunity to be grabbed and potential to be shaped.
Mindset matters.
What’s your attitude?
As someone who deals with facts, not fiction, Futurist Jim Carroll admits to being mystified by much of the current rhetoric that surrounds us.