Think Forward: Conversations with Futurists, Innovators and Big Thinkers

Steve Fisher explores how cognitive biases affect our ability to think about and prepare for the future, showing why our brains take mental shortcuts that feel like common sense but often lead us astray.• Confirmation bias leads us to seek information that supports our existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence• Status quo bias makes us assume things will continue as they are today, despite history showing constant change• Recency bias causes us to overvalue recent events as predictors of the future• Groupthink pressures us to conform to consensus views rather than challenging them• Historical examples like Kodak, Blockbuster, and the 19th century "horse manure crisis" demonstrate how bias blinds us to coming disruptions• Strategies to combat bias include actively seeking opposing viewpoints, using premortem thinking, practicing "future flip" scenarios, and surrounding yourself with diverse perspectivesOver the next week, pick a future scenario you strongly believe in, then actively look for evidence that suggests it won't happen. Read something, watch something, or talk to someone who sees the world differently.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.

Empathy emerges as a critical but often overlooked skill in futures thinking that allows us to see beyond our own perspectives and imagine how different people will experience tomorrow's world. This strategic advantage helps us anticipate change more effectively, design more inclusive solutions, and avoid the blind spots that come from viewing the future through a single lens.• Different backgrounds create different visions of the future—urban dwellers might focus on smart cities while rural residents prioritize community resilience• Technology adoption varies dramatically across different groups, with some embracing change while others feel overwhelmed• The most successful innovations don't just push technology forward but bring people along with it• Persona-based futures exploration helps identify how different generations, professions, and backgrounds might experience change• Seeking diverse perspectives through reading, conversations, and travel expands our futures thinking capacity• Historical examples like mobile phone adoption in developing countries show how empathy gaps lead to missed opportunities• Social media platforms demonstrate how failing to anticipate different use cases created unexpected problems• Empathy transforms futures thinking from a theoretical exercise to a practical tool for building better tomorrowsJoin us next time as we explore why challenging your own biases and assumptions is one of the hardest and most important things you can do to think more clearly about the future.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.

Metaphors do more than describe reality—they actively shape our thinking and decision-making, especially when we contemplate the future. The words and images we use to discuss technological progress, business disruption, and time management fundamentally influence how we prepare for tomorrow and the actions we take today.• Humans think in images and metaphors rather than numbers or words• Common time metaphors like "time is money" shape our behavior and stress levels• Describing technology development as a "race" emphasizes competition over collaboration• "Metaphor flipping" helps break limiting thought patterns by intentionally changing frameworks• Viewing AI as a "symphony" rather than an "arms race" transforms our approach to its development• The stories and metaphors we use about the future influence the decisions that create that futureListen for metaphors in your daily conversations and media consumption this week. When you hear one, ask yourself: Is this metaphor expanding or limiting our thinking about what's possible? If it's limiting, try flipping it to see what new ideas emerge. Next episode, we'll explore how empathy functions as a crucial skill for imagining better futures.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 the unpredictable, high-impact events known as Black Swans and Wild Cards that transform industries and everyday life overnight. Through examining historical examples and successful adaptation strategies, we uncover how to build resilience for unexpected disruptions even when we can't predict their exact timing or form.• Black Swans: unexpected events with massive impact that only seem obvious in hindsight (9/11, 2008 financial crisis)• Wild Cards: low-probability but high-impact events that can sometimes be anticipated (quantum computing breaking encryption)• Organizations that survive disruption are those with flexibility and adaptive capabilities• Companies that pivoted quickly during COVID-19 demonstrated the importance of resilience• Building flexibility into strategy creates options when disruption hits• Scenario planning allows exploration of "what-if" possibilities before they occur • Paying attention to weak signals provides early warnings of potential disruptions• Embracing anti-fragility means creating systems that improve through exposure to volatilityThink about your work or industry: what Black Swan event could completely change the game, and how would you respond? Start building this thinking into your planning now to position yourself better when the next big shock arrives.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.

Curiosity powers futures thinking by enabling us to see possibilities and spot disruptions before they happen, making it an essential skill rather than just an inherent personality trait. • Curiosity naturally diminishes as we age, leading to dangerous assumptions about permanence in a rapidly changing world• The question "What if?" unlocks new futures and drives transformation – from the internet to electric vehicles to AI• Most people avoid curiosity because it requires comfort with uncertainty rather than clear answers• Curiosity is a trainable skill accessible to everyone through deliberate practice• Question default assumptions about how your industry, products or processes work to spark breakthroughs• Pay attention to "weird" fringe ideas – today's niche experiments often become tomorrow's mainstream realities• Practice sitting with uncertainty instead of rushing to conclusions to see possibilities others miss• Challenge yourself today to ask a big "what if" question about something fundamental to your work or industryJoin us next time when we'll explore black swans and wild cards – those unpredictable high-impact events that change everything overnight.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.

Weak signals are early indicators of change that can help us predict future trends before they become mainstream, offering competitive advantages to those who learn to spot them effectively.• Weak signals are small emerging shifts that haven't hit mainstream yet but could become significant trends• Examples include Airbnb (from couch-surfing to reshaping travel) and TikTok (from lip-syncing videos to transforming entire industries)• Best places to find weak signals: niche communities, academic research, patents, underground culture, and young generation behaviors• Evaluate signals by asking: Is it growing? Does it connect to other changes? What happens if it scales?• Keep a weak signals journal to track unusual patterns and potential trends over time• Spotting weak signals helps businesses identify new opportunities and prepare for disruptions before competitorsChallenge: Find one weak signal over the next week - a new behavior, technology, or cultural shift that isn't making headlines yet. Track it and consider what might happen if it scales.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 tackle the crucial business strategy question of distinguishing between trends and fads, providing a framework to prevent costly missteps while capturing genuine opportunities for growth. Steve Fisher explains the fundamental differences and offers practical tools to separate hype from meaningful change.• Trends are like tides (lasting, impactful) while fads are like waves (flashy but temporary)• Fads lack substance and fade quickly while trends solve real problems and create lasting impact• Real-world examples: Google Glass (fad) vs broader wearable tech market (trend)• Segway (fad) vs micromobility/e-scooters (trend)• Five ways to identify true trends: examine underlying drivers, check the adoption curve, watch who's adopting it, determine if it solves a real problem, observe if it evolves over time• Remote work represents a true trend backed by technological advances and changing workplace expectations• AI has evolved from niche technology to mainstream business tool across multiple industries• Strategic advice: avoid distraction by every new thing, invest in meaningful trends early, stay flexible as trends evolvePick something you've been seeing a lot lately and analyze whether it's a trend or a fad by examining its drivers, adoption pattern, and problem-solving capacity. Join us next time when we discuss "weak signals" – the early hints of future change that most people miss.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.

This reflection episode marks a pivotal moment in our foresight journey, inviting you to integrate everything we've learned about futures thinking and apply it to your own context.• Reviewing key concepts from the first nine episodes: multiple futures thinking, breaking free from default thinking, and spotting weak signals• Reflection Exercise 1: Assess where you are in your foresight journey and your comfort level with these concepts• Reflection Exercise 2: Identify one assumption about the future you've started questioning since beginning this series• Reflection Exercise 3: Consider what weak signals you're noticing that others seem to miss• Practical challenge to move beyond learning about foresight to actively applying it in your work or life• Acknowledging that futures fluency isn't achieved overnight—it's a skill continuously refined• The future isn't something we simply observe; it's something we actively shape through our choicesWrite down one thing you're taking away from these first 10 episodes as we prepare to explore more foresight fundamentals and the transformations shaping the 21st century.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.

Futures thinking isn't just about looking ahead—it's about developing mental habits that help you see change before it happens and act on it meaningfully. • The future isn't predetermined—it's something you can actively shape rather than something that happens to you• Move from asking "what will happen" to "what could happen" by exploring multiple possible futures• Challenge your "default future"—the assumed trajectory that people rarely question• Adopt a prototype mentality by testing future possibilities through small experiments today• Ask "what if" questions every day to train your brain for futures thinking• Expand your information diet beyond your industry to catch disruption from unexpected places• Schedule monthly futures check-ins to notice emerging signals and trendsYour challenge: Pick one assumption about the future that you believe is "just the way things are" and challenge it. What if it's not true? What if the opposite happened?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.

Systems thinking revolutionizes problem-solving by helping us see interconnections instead of isolated parts. This framework offers powerful tools for navigating complexity and avoiding unintended consequences when tackling challenges in business, policy, and everyday life.• Most people think linearly (A causes B, B causes C), which works for simple problems but fails with complex issues• Systems thinking examines how different elements interact and influence each other within a whole• Traffic congestion demonstrates systems thinking—building more roads often worsens traffic through induced demand • Layoffs to cut costs can trigger customer service problems, negative reviews, and revenue decline• Reinforcing (positive) feedback loops amplify change like social media engagement algorithms• Balancing (negative) feedback loops stabilize systems like body temperature regulation or market pricing• Apply systems thinking by zooming out to see the big picture before making decisions• Look for feedback loops that might accelerate growth or create vicious cycles• Recognize that cause and effect often have time delays and unexpected side effects• The best leaders anticipate how things connect and interact over timeJoin us next time as we explore how to cultivate a futures mindset so you don't just think about the future—you start living it.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.