Think Forward: Conversations with Futurists, Innovators and Big Thinkers

The holistic approach is a critical aspect of future thinking that allows us to see beyond isolated problems to understand interconnected systems and create lasting solutions.• Traffic jams illustrate the difference between fragmented thinking and a holistic approach• Holistic thinking reveals relationships between seemingly separate elements of complex systems • Finland reduced heart disease through comprehensive initiatives across nutrition, education, and policy• Singapore transformed urban planning by integrating transportation, green spaces, and smart technology• Finland's education success stems from designing around lifelong learning, creativity and collaboration• Practical techniques include systems mapping, cross-sector collaboration, and understanding feedback loops• Complex challenges like climate change require holistic perspectives for effective solutions• Think systems not silos—the whole is greater than the sum of its parts• Diverse perspectives lead to more robust and adaptable solutions• Holistic thinking is both a technique and a mindset that transforms how we approach complexityApply these holistic insights to a current challenge in your life or work. Look for connections you haven't noticed before and consider how you might solve problems differently today.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

Positive-sum thinking elevates futures thinking from theory into transformative practice by seeking outcomes where everyone involved gains value, contrary to zero-sum thinking where one party's gain means another's loss. This mindset is essential for creating better futures, especially in the age of intelligence where collaboration, information sharing, and innovation networks thrive on decentralized knowledge.• Historically, zero-sum thinking dominated economics, politics, and relationships, limiting our ability to create better futures• The age of intelligence thrives on collaboration and decentralized knowledge, creating fertile ground for positive-sum interactions• Positive-sum thinking is essential for navigating complex future landscapes shaped by structural transformations or "super shifts"• Practical implementation includes reframing narratives, fostering collaborative networks, and engaging in strategic experimentation• Patagonia exemplifies positive-sum thinking by collaborating with competitors on sustainability standards, benefiting all stakeholders• This approach applies equally to personal lives, strengthening relationships and enhancing cooperation• Common roadblocks include mental scarcity, lack of trust, and institutional barriers that reinforce competitionJoin us next episode as we dive deeper into how these concepts manifest practically within organizations using the broader transform model. Share your experiences with positive-sum thinking via our website or social channels!ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

Natural transformations offer a powerful blueprint for thriving amid disruption, with ecosystems demonstrating how to transform challenges into opportunities for growth and evolution. We explore how nature's billion-year track record of successful adaptation provides strategic insights for organizations navigating change in the age of intelligence.• Nature doesn't aim to return to an old normal but continually evolves to something stronger• Netflix embraced streaming as a fundamental transformation while Blockbuster tried preserving their existing model• Forward-looking energy companies turned renewable disruption into growth opportunities• Diverse ecosystems and organizations are inherently stronger with multiple pathways for adaptation• Cities like Copenhagen and Singapore integrate green infrastructure to address climate challenges• Adopt ecosystem thinking by recognizing interconnections and dependencies• Encourage diversity in ideas, experiences, skills, and perspectives• Cultivate a culture of experimentation through rapid prototyping and willingness to pivot• Anticipate ripple effects of changes to gain strategic advantage• Leverage self-organization through autonomy and decentralizationIdentify a disruption in your industry or life and ask: "What if this disruption is the wildfire that will germinate new opportunities for growth?"ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

The Transform Model offers a strategic foresight framework designed to help individuals and organizations anticipate, respond to, and leverage complexity in our rapidly changing world. We explain why traditional strategic models fall short in today's environment of constant, interconnected change and how the Transform Model provides a systematic approach to preparing for and shaping the future.• Core principles of the Transform Model including natural transformations, positive-sum outcomes, and systems thinking• How anti-fragility differs from resilience by helping systems grow stronger from disruptions• The nine elements of the TRANSFORM acronym: Trend awareness, Resilient systems, Adaptive thinking, Networked intelligence, Strategic experimentation, Future readiness, Organizational agility, Robust collaboration, and Mindset evolution• Practical application of the framework using the example of a company facing AI-driven automation• Companies like Netflix, Tesla, and Amazon already use elements of this model intuitively• How to start applying the Transform Model by identifying one vulnerable area and applying a single elementRemember, the future isn't something that just happens to us—it's something we actively design and shape. Join us next time as we dive deeper into these principles, beginning with the holistic approach.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

Distinguishing between trends and super shifts is crucial for future-proofing any business or career. We explore the key differences to help you spot transformative changes before they completely reshape industries and catch you unprepared.• Trends are surface-level changes that typically rise gradually, become popular for a time, and eventually fade• Super shifts are massive structural transformations that radically alter how we live, work, and interact• Three key factors differentiate super shifts: massive scale/scope, exceptional speed, and powerful convergence• Super shifts redefine entire systems from the ground up, creating new rules and business models• Companies like Blockbuster and traditional taxis failed because they misidentified super shifts as mere trends• Look for cross-sector convergence, unusual speed/scale, and long-term structural implications to spot super shifts early• Recognizing these shifts early allows for proactive preparation rather than reactive responsesNext episode: We'll introduce the Transform Model, a framework to help you navigate and harness these structural transformations.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

Steve Fisher explores super shifts—the fundamental forces reshaping our world that are deeper and more transformative than trends. These massive systemic changes affect industries, economies, and entire societies, representing structural shifts that redefine what's possible rather than merely improving what exists.• Super shifts differ from trends by being structural, not superficial—they change the architecture of how systems function• Companies like Blockbuster and traditional taxi services failed by misinterpreting fundamental shifts as passing trends• The nine super shifts include Generational Drift, Intellifusion, Techceleration, Reality Remix, and Powerflow• Super shifts converge and collide, reinforcing each other in ways that create cascading effects across society• Eco Awakening, Social Quake, World Mosaic, and BioNexus represent transformations in sustainability, culture, globalization, and human potential• Recognizing and adapting to these shifts early provides strategic advantage in designing the futureTake a step back and examine the changes happening around you. Consider what might be bigger than just a trend, what assumptions you're holding that might be outdated, and how you're preparing for change before it forces you to react.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

We're entering the Age of Intelligence, where the convergence of human, artificial, and networked intelligence is reshaping everything from work to human identity. This episode explores nine interconnected "super shifts" that are fundamentally transforming our world and introduces how the upcoming Transform Model will help navigate this new era.• The Age of Intelligence marks a shift from scarce, centralized intelligence to abundant, decentralized, and accelerating intelligence• Nine super shifts are driving transformation: Generational Drift, Intellifusion, Techceleration, Reality Remix, Power Flow, Eco-Awakening, Social Quake, World Mosaic, and Bionexus• These shifts are not isolated trends but interconnected forces reinforcing each other in unpredictable ways• Traditional strategy approaches are failing because they weren't designed for this level of systemic change• The Transform Model (coming next episode) provides a structured approach to making sense of complexity• Challenge yourself to identify which super shift you're already seeing play out in your industry or communityLook around at the changes happening in your industry, your community and your world. What's one super shift you're already seeing play out? Because the future isn't something that happens to us, it's something we design.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

We've reached a milestone in our Foundations in Foresight series, making this the perfect time to reflect on how our thinking about the future has evolved and what to do with all we've learned.• Reflecting on the shift from seeing the future as overwhelming or distant to actively making sense of change• Building futures thinking into daily practice through better questions and tracking signals of change• Teaching futures concepts to others helps internalize and deepen understanding• Upcoming episodes will explore major forces shaping the future and advanced foresight methods• The future isn't something that happens to us—it's something we're actively shaping through today's decisionsPick one futures thinking habit to commit to practicing consistently, whether keeping a signals journal, questioning assumptions more often, or simply staying curious about what's possible.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

We explore why thinking of the future as a single destination is a dangerous habit and how to break it. Understanding multiple possible futures is essential for making better decisions and navigating uncertainty in business, careers, and life.• The future isn't a fixed point but a spectrum of possibilities• Four categories to understand: possible, plausible, probable, and preferable futures• No one can predict the future with certainty, but we can prepare for multiple outcomes• The "probable" future is constantly changing as industries shift and technologies evolve• Many breakthroughs started as preferable futures that seemed unrealistic at the time• Challenge your assumptions by asking "what if?" about dominant trends and technologies• Practice imagining multiple scenarios for the same trend (optimistic, challenging, unexpected)• Forward-thinking people and organizations prepare for multiple futures, not just oneTry this exercise: Pick one trend affecting your life or work. Instead of assuming you know where it's heading, imagine three different ways it could unfold – one optimistic, one challenging, and one completely unexpected.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.

Understanding the five major forces driving change—technology, economics, demographics, environment, and politics—helps us anticipate shifts before they become obvious to everyone else. Steve Fisher explains how to move from reactive to proactive thinking by examining what's beneath surface-level trends.• Technology changes everything but its impact depends on how people use it, not just what it can do• Economic drivers like cost reduction explain why innovations like renewable energy suddenly gain traction• Demographic shifts including aging populations and generational values reshape societies over decades• Environmental challenges are becoming economic and social disruptors across industries• Political decisions and regulations can accelerate or impede changes in surprising ways• "Trend layering" helps understand how multiple forces interact to shape complex developments• "Backcasting" involves working backward from future scenarios to identify change paths• Tracking early signals helps spot emerging forces before they become mainstreamYour challenge this week: Pick a current trend and analyze what's truly driving it—economics, demographics, technology, or something else entirely? Once you understand the underlying forces, the future becomes less unpredictable.ORDER SUPERSHIFTS! bit.ly/supershifts 🎧 Listen Now On: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/ Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.