Victor Hugo said nothing is so great as an idea whose time has come. For over 20 years I stood on the edge of the world, looked to the future and said, this is the year, the time is now. With the exception of a few enlightened clients, I was wrong.
Thinking really is now
It was with great fanfare that I read the World Economic Forum's future skills list. Right at the top, in broad daylight, creative thinking. A trainable skill, now the number one capability required by leaders. Finally the time has come, and perhaps at the most perfect moment.
We live in paradoxical times. We weigh artificial intelligence against humanity, climate against productivity, customer value against shareholder value. Most leaders are being called to do more with less.
The cost of resisting change
At its peak in 2004 Blockbuster had $5.9 billion in revenue, 84,000 staff and 9,000 stores. In 2000 it was approached by a barely known start up that pitched an acquisition for $50 million. Suppressing their laughter, they declined. The rookie start up was Netflix.
What to do
Questioning the past is necessary for progress. The way we do things around here might not be the best way for the future, yet questioning the status quo is often taken as a personal attack. It is not what you say, it is how you say it, and there are tools that let you question what is without attacking.
The challenge tool sits at the centre of the rethink process. It moves you from clarifying your focus statement to unpacking what exists and questioning whether there is a new, different or better way. The result may not be change at all, but rather the confidence that you have really thought things through.
"Be a driver, not a responder. Imagine getting ahead of the change curve and unlocking potential you never knew existed."Read the original newsletter
