Think Forward: Conversations with Futurists, Innovators and Big Thinkers

Transformation roadmaps bridge insights about the future with clear pathways for meaningful change, connecting foresight work to concrete outcomes. We explore how to craft roadmaps that remain adaptable as conditions evolve rather than rigid plans that quickly become obsolete.• Traditional roadmaps often fail because they assume linear progression, focus on activities over outcomes, and treat the future as predictable• Effective transformation roadmaps consist of four key elements: North Star Vision, Horizon Framework, Integrated Workstreams, and Learning Loops• The Horizon Framework breaks transformation into 6-12 months (specific initiatives), 1-3 years (strategic moves), and 3+ years (directional priorities)• Creating your roadmap involves clarifying your preferred future, assessing current reality, identifying key shifts, designing horizons, organizing workstreams, and establishing learning mechanisms• Successful implementation requires visual storytelling, translation across organizational levels, ongoing environmental sensing, regular replanning, and capability development• Common challenges include stakeholder alignment, balancing specificity with flexibility, resource constraints, and maintaining momentum throughout the journeyKeep designing, keep transforming, and as always, think forward.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 persistent gap between foresight activities and strategic planning processes, providing a roadmap for integrating futures thinking with execution plans in ways that enhance both activities.• Understanding why foresight and strategy remain disconnected: different timeframes, methodological approaches, languages, and organizational structures• The Three Horizons framework as a powerful bridge between exploration and execution• Embedding foresight in traditional strategic planning cycles: environmental scanning, vision setting, strategy development, resource allocation, implementation• Practical integration tools: Strategic Implications Workshops, Wind Tunneling Exercises, Strategic Radars, Portfolio Review Boards• Real-world case studies from a consumer goods company and healthcare system• Overcoming common integration challenges like rigid planning processes and lack of leadership buy-in• Applying these principles to personal strategic planning through annual reviews, quarterly checks, portfolio approaches, and decision filtersJoin us next episode as we explore how to design transformation roadmaps, creating clear pathways from your current reality to preferred 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 how foresight isn't just about frameworks but cultivating a mindset through daily practices that shape how we perceive and engage with the world. These intentional routines train your mind to expand its time horizon, notice patterns of change, and make decisions with longer-term implications in mind.• Daily practices like morning signal scans and three horizons moments take just minutes but shift perception over time• Weekly habits such as pattern recognition sessions and future-focused reading blocks allow for deeper engagement• Monthly rituals including horizon scans and scenario refreshes provide space for substantial foresight work• Physical, digital and social environments powerfully shape thinking patterns and can be designed to support futures thinking• Start small by integrating foresight into existing routines rather than treating it as an additional burden• Consistency matters more than duration—brief daily practices maintained over months create more impact than occasional deep dives• Personalize your foresight rituals based on your thinking style, existing routines, and areas of interestThe future emerges not just from grand strategies and breakthrough innovations, but from the small daily practices that gradually shift how we see and shape what's possible. Keep practicing, keep exploring, and think forward.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 one of the most challenging aspects of foresight practice: connecting the dots between observations and actions, and provide a clear roadmap for transforming early indicators of change into practical strategies.• The "foresight gap" describes the common struggle to translate awareness into action• The Spectrum Foresight Method provides a framework with four interconnected stages: Explore, Design, Apply, and Integrate• Create a signal grid to organize observations across domains that matter to your future• Transform signals into patterns and develop scenarios using the two-axis method based on critical uncertainties• Build a strategic portfolio with core strategies (valuable across futures), option strategies (beneficial in specific futures), and hedge strategies (protective measures)• Create a visual foresight journey map connecting signals, patterns, scenarios, and strategies• Michael's case study demonstrates how this approach helps navigate potential career disruption from AI in marketing• Overcome common challenges like signal overload, difficulty seeing connections, or translating scenarios to action• Start your foresight journey by establishing a visual system and beginning your scanning practiceNext episode we'll explore systems thinking in understanding super shifts, including how to decode complexity, recognize ripple effects, and identify feedback loops that shape transformational change.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.

Effective personal foresight requires developing a structured system that consistently informs decisions and helps navigate uncertainty with confidence. We unpack the five essential components that form a robust foresight practice you can integrate into daily life.• Signal scanning - your personal radar system for monitoring changes in your environment and spotting patterns before they become obvious• Sensemaking - transforming isolated observations into meaningful insights through regular reflection sessions• Scenario development - exploring multiple possible futures using practical approaches like the two uncertainties matrix or day-in-the-life scenarios• Strategic decision-making - connecting foresight to action with robust choices that position you advantageously across multiple futures• Reflection and learning - creating feedback loops that continuously improve your foresight capabilities over time• Implementation strategies include starting small, integrating foresight into existing routines, and finding community support• Customize your system based on your specific context, whether you're a corporate professional, creative worker, or in transition• Begin with one simple practice this week - perhaps a 20-minute scanning session or brief scenario sketch• The perfect system is the one you'll actually use consistently - prioritize sustainability over complexityJoin us next time as we explore how to map your complete foresight journey, connecting scanning to scenarios to strategic action in ways that create tangible value in your life and work.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.

Personal Futures Mapping provides tools to visualize possible futures and align daily decisions with long-term goals in an era of unprecedented change and complexity. This powerful approach helps you anticipate how broader shifts might affect your life, identify emerging opportunities, and prepare for potential disruptions to your career or industry.• Understanding the Three Horizons framework: present reality (H1), long-term vision (H3), and bridges between them (H2)• Connecting broader super shifts to your personal future through relevant implications• Using visual tools like Futures Wheels, Scenario Matrices, and Timeline Mapping to explore possibilities• Aligning daily decisions with long-term futures through decision filtering and skill portfolio development• Navigating the emotional landscape of futures thinking by focusing on agency rather than prediction• Creating small experiments to test assumptions and gather real-world data• Scheduling regular review sessions to keep your futures map responsive to emerging developmentsThe future isn't something that just happens to you. It's something you actively shape through your awareness, choices and actions. Keep exploring, keep mapping, and as always, think forward.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 three levels of foresight fluency and provide a clear pathway for advancing from foundational knowledge to strategic transformation in futures thinking. This episode marks a milestone as we complete our deep dive into world building and prepare to elevate your futures practice to the next level.• Understanding the three stages of foresight development: foundational awareness, applied integration, and strategic transformation• How to accurately assess your current level of foresight fluency • Specific practices that help you advance to the next level based on where you are in your journey• The important transition from being a consumer of futures content to becoming a creator of original insights• Practical strategies for overcoming common obstacles like time constraints and making foresight relevant• How small, consistent efforts in foresight practice compound over time to build significant capabilityThe future belongs to those who prepare for it today. Keep exploring, keep practicing, and as always, think forward.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.

Reaching a milestone in our foresight journey, we reflect on 20 episodes of practical applications and consolidate key lessons before embarking on the final segment of the series. • The journey from theory to practice began with world building as a strategic methodology for creating detailed future scenarios• Five core lessons emerged: making futures tangible enhances engagement and action• Incorporating diverse perspectives prevents blind spots and produces richer futures work• Connecting foresight to action through deliberate bridges transforms insights into implementation• Systematic processes provide structure without rigidity, balancing discipline with creativity• Continuous learning enables adaptation as conditions evolve rather than one-time exercises• Practical approaches for integration include starting small but consistent• Creating tangible artifacts communicates complex futures more effectively• Building collaborative networks enriches perspectives and sustains futures thinking• Connecting foresight to existing processes ensures insights directly influence decisions• Regular reflection keeps your practice relevant and effective• The final 20 episodes will focus on mastery, integration, and developing comprehensive foresight systemsAs you continue this journey, remember that developing foresight isn't just about new tools—it's about cultivating a fundamentally different relationship with the future, seeing it as an emerging landscape to explore and shape.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 how to apply futures thinking to our personal lives and careers, creating a framework for anticipating change and developing adaptable strategies for professional development in an uncertain world.• Traditional life trajectories are dissolving with people changing jobs 12 times on average during their working life• Personal foresight follows a four-part process: scanning, scenarios, strategy, and action• Effective scanning requires identifying key domains and building regular routines for spotting emerging changes• Create at least three distinct personal scenarios with 5-10 year horizons• Focus on developing adaptability and strategic optionality rather than rigid five-year plans• Navigate super shifts like AI, demographic changes, and emerging technologies through personalized strategies• Build personal foresight habits like future journaling, scenario conversations, and future self-dialogue• Even 15-30 minutes weekly dedicated to foresight significantly improves your capacity to anticipate changeTake one hour this week for a personal foresight mini-retreat. Find a quiet space, bring a journal, and work through these questions: What changes am I noticing? What assumptions need questioning? What scenarios might unfold in my future? What capabilities serve me across multiple futures? What one action can I take this month to increase my options?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.

Today's leaders face unprecedented challenges as multiple "super shifts" - massive structural transformations in business, society, and technology - converge simultaneously, creating complexity that conventional leadership approaches can't address.• Traditional leaders focus on sequential changes, while today's environment demands navigating multiple overlapping disruptions at once• Five core qualities distinguish effective super shift leaders: adaptive foresight, systems intelligence, transformational resilience, collaborative agency, and purposeful conviction• Adaptive foresight involves anticipating multiple possibilities and adjusting rapidly as new information emerges• Systems intelligence means seeing interconnections and understanding how changes in one area trigger effects elsewhere• Transformational resilience goes beyond surviving disruption to actually growing stronger through it• Collaborative agency allows leaders to mobilize diverse stakeholders despite different priorities and perspectives• Purposeful conviction provides a clear north star guiding decisions amid uncertainty and upheaval• These qualities can be developed through specific practices like scenario planning, systems mapping, and reframing disruption as opportunity• Leading through transformation carries psychological challenges requiring attention to personal sustainability• Small, consistent steps in developing these capabilities create substantial leadership growth over timeJoin us next episode as we explore personal foresight and how to apply futures thinking to your own life and career.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.