22 May 5 Factors that will Define our Future
A few years back a friend gave me a book to read and I only got around to reading it a while ago! Wish I’d opened it sooner because it really has made me think.
Dr. James Canton, Chairman and CEO of the Institute for Global Futures, a strategic forecasting think tank, wrote ‘The Extreme Future’ in which he predicted the top trends that will reshape the world in the next 20 years.
Turns out the book was so good that he has since advised White House administrations, the British Science Foundation and many global fortune companies on trends, innovations & globalization.
I think educators should be thinking about this too. I know how incredibly busy you are so here’s a quick summary to get you thinking too.
We all know that the world is changing at an accelerated pace. Canton refers to multidimensional, complex and disruptive change. It’s faster than ever before because of the exponential growth of new technologies and the globalization of knowledge, ideas, trade and the huge new markets of China and India.
It’s all about meeting the challenge of what’s coming next. We need to be future ready. Are you future ready? Is your school future ready?
What I like about Canton’s thinking is that he sees these massive changes as fantastic disruptions offering great opportunities. I agree!
Yes, it may be frightening for some, but as someone regularly teaching leadership courses, I see a world of opportunity and a world of challenges to learn and grow and think it is imperative that more school leaders grasp this mentality.. More importantly I see the urgency for educators to stop preparing our students for a predictable life and start preparing them for a very different future.
I know we cannot make the future but we can certainly plan for it and prepare for it.
Canton’s 5 Factors that will define The Extreme Future are
- Speed
- Complexity
- Risk
- Change
- Surprise
The rate of change will be rapid and will touch every aspect of our lives.
What are you doing to prepare your students for their future?
Download the Think Strategic Whitepaper below to help you think strategically about actions you can take or contact me if you would like assistance for your school.
