Overview of the Strategic Future

“Africa must be bold and visionary in imagining its future, and determined in working towards it.” – Alpha Oumar Konaré, former President of Mali and former Chairperson of the African Union

 In today’s fast-paced world, it’s important to be prepared for the future. The world is constantly changing and evolving, and it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve. The concept of “strategic future” refers to the ability to anticipate and prepare for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

The Strategic future involves embracing a forward-looking mindset and positioning to succeed in a rapidly changing world. The future may be uncertain, but by taking proactive steps today, we can be better prepared for what it holds. John J. Mahaffie says “Success in the 21st century requires a new mind-set and a new skill-set. The mind-set of a strategic leader is global and future-oriented. The skill-set includes the ability to manage ambiguity, navigate complex systems, and lead in a digital world.” –

This concept encompasses a wide range of areas, including technology, politics, economics, and society. It involves considering the impact of current events and trends on the future, and taking action to prepare for and capitalize on potential opportunities and challenges.

In a business context, the strategic future often involves developing long-term plans and strategies for growth, identifying potential risks, and implementing measures to mitigate those risks.

For individuals, it may involve setting goals and making plans for personal and professional development.

The goal of strategic future planning is to ensure that leaders are prepared for what lies ahead, and to make the most of the opportunities and challenges that the future presents.

The importance of being ready for the strategic future

“The only way to predict the future is to have the power to shape it.” – Eric Hoffer.

Let us explore the importance of being ready for the strategic future and how as individuals and organizations we can prepare for what lies ahead.

• Understanding the Trends: The first step in preparing for the future is understanding the trends and patterns that are shaping the world. This includes paying attention to advancements in technology, changes in demographics, and shifts in the global political landscape, environmental landscape among others. By keeping up with these trends, you can gain a better understanding of what the future might hold.
• Building Resilience: The future is uncertain, and it’s impossible to predict exactly how events will unfold. However, it’s important to build resilience in the face of uncertainty. This means being prepared for various scenarios and having contingency plans in place. Building resilience is an investment, invest in technology, diversify revenue streams, and foster a culture of innovation.
• Embracing Technology: Technology is playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future. From artificial intelligence to biotechnology, new technologies are emerging that have the potential to transform the world. In order to be ready for the strategic future, individuals and organizations must embrace these technologies and use them to their advantage.
• Fostering a Culture of Innovation: To stay ahead of the curve, it’s important to foster a culture of innovation. This means encouraging new ideas, experimenting with new approaches, and taking calculated risks. Organizations can foster a culture of innovation by investing in research and development, promoting collaboration, and creating an environment that supports creative thinking.

Asking questions

“Asking questions is an essential part of problem solving.” – Lailah Gifty Akita

The starting point is to ask ourselves the following questions to understand and prepare for the strategic future. By asking these questions, we can gain a better understanding of the strategic future and the actions needed to take to prepare for it. This can help them make informed decisions and take control of the future in a rapidly changing and uncertain world.

Most of these questions can apply anywhere with any leader.

As business leaders…

• What are the key trends and developments shaping our industry and market?
• How are our customers and stakeholders evolving, and what are their needs and expectations?
• What technology and innovation opportunities which can leverage to drive growth and competitiveness?
• How can we stay ahead of emerging risks and challenges, such as disruption from new entrants or shifts in regulation?
• What are the core capabilities and capacities that we need to build and maintain to stay relevant and competitive in the future?
• How can we attract and retain the talent we need to drive success in the future?
• What partnerships and ecosystems do we need to build to drive growth and innovation?
• How can we create a culture that fosters continuous learning and adaptation?
• How can we measure and track our progress towards our strategic goals and objectives?
• What scenarios and contingency plans do we need to have in place to ensure that we can navigate uncertainty and adversity?

As Political leaders…

• What are the key social, economic, and environmental trends that are shaping our nation and the world?
• How are our citizens and communities evolving and what are their needs and expectations?
• How can we leverage technology and innovation to drive progress and address pressing challenges, such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation?
• How can we stay ahead of emerging risks and challenges, such as geopolitical instability, cyber threats, and the spread of pandemics?
• What are the core policies and initiatives that we need to implement to drive progress and address the most pressing issues facing our nation and the world?
• How can we foster a culture of collaboration and cooperation between different levels of government, civil society, and the private sector?
• How can we ensure that the benefits of technology and innovation are shared fairly and equitably?
• How can we measure and track our progress towards our strategic goals and objectives?
• What scenarios and contingency plans do we need to have in place to ensure that we can navigate uncertainty and adversity?
• How can we ensure that the voices and perspectives of marginalized communities are heard and taken into account in decision-making?

As You and Me (Individual)…

• What are my personal and professional goals and aspirations?
• How is my industry and market evolving and what are the trends and developments that are shaping it?
• How are my skills and capabilities evolving and what new skills and knowledge do I need to acquire to stay relevant and competitive?
• How can I leverage technology and innovation to achieve my personal and professional goals?
• How can I stay ahead of emerging risks and challenges, such as automation and the changing nature of work?
• How can I foster a culture of continuous learning and growth, both personally and professionally?
• What networks and relationships do I need to build to support my personal and professional development?
• How can I measure and track my progress towards my goals and aspirations?
• What scenarios and contingency plans do I need to have in place to ensure that I can navigate uncertainty and adversity?
• How can I ensure that my personal and professional development aligns with my values and contributes to a more equitable and sustainable future?

As a parent…

• What are the educational and career opportunities that will be available for my children in the future?
• How is technology and innovation shaping the future of education and work?
• How can I ensure that my children have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world?
• What values and character traits do I want to instil in my children to help them navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future?
• How can I foster a love of learning and a passion for discovery in my children?
• What networks and relationships can I build to support my children’s education and career development?
• How can I ensure that my children have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed?
• What scenarios and contingency plans do I need to have in place to ensure that my children are prepared for the future?
• How can I ensure that my children are exposed to diverse perspectives and experiences that broaden their horizons and build their empathy and understanding of the world?
• How can I encourage my children to take an active role in shaping the future and contributing to a more equitable and sustainable world?

As a writer…

• What are the emerging trends and themes in writing and storytelling?
• How is technology shaping the way people consume and engage with writing?
• What new forms of storytelling and writing are emerging, and how can I stay up-to-date with them?
• How can I develop my writing skills and knowledge to stay competitive in a rapidly changing market?
• How can I leverage technology and innovation to reach new audiences and engage with readers in new and innovative ways?
• What are the ethical and social implications of my writing and how can I ensure that my writing is responsible and contributes to a more equitable and sustainable world?
• How can I build relationships with other writers, editors, publishers, and readers to support my writing career?
• How can I measure and track my progress as a writer and continually improve my skills and knowledge?
• What scenarios and contingency plans do I need to have in place to navigate uncertainty and adversity in my writing career?
• How can I stay motivated and inspired as a writer and continue to create meaningful and impactful writing that resonates with readers?

Asking for Action

 “The only thing more important than asking the right question is the courage to act on the answer.” – Steve Maraboli

 Asking questions is certainly one of the key elements of preparing for the strategic future. By asking questions, leaders, individuals, and businesses can gain a deeper understanding of the forces that are shaping their industry or field, identify new opportunities and challenges, and develop plans and strategies to respond effectively.

However, it’s not just about asking questions, but also about taking action. This involves analysing and interpreting the information gathered from asking questions, and then using that information to inform decision-making and take action to prepare for the future. This might involve investing in new technologies or skills, forming partnerships and collaborations, or developing new business models and strategies.

Ultimately, being ready for the strategic future requires a combination of asking the right questions, gathering and analysing information, and taking informed and effective action to prepare for the future.

Strategic future therefore means we are asking ourselves what the future holds and what our contribution in making it better for ourselves and the next generation will be and making intentional strategies of engaging for the future.

Asking for action in the strategic future is a pivotal step towards realizing your goals and creating a bright future. It requires taking bold, decisive steps towards your vision and being proactive in continuously learning, setting clear goals, developing a plan of action, collaborating with others, staying flexible, and taking action.

Strategic future ultimately is Linking the Present to the Future

“Curiosity is the spark that drives human advancement, and asking questions is how we fuel that fire.” – Simon Sinek

Yes, that’s correct! The strategic future is all about linking the present and the future, by taking into account current trends, developments, and disruptions, and anticipating what the future might look like. By doing so, leaders, individuals, and organizations can make informed decisions about the actions they need to take to succeed in an ever-changing world.

Linking the present and the future requires a proactive and forward-thinking approach, and a commitment to continuous learning and development. It also involves asking the right questions, gathering and analyzing information, and taking effective action to prepare for the future.

Ultimately, the strategic future is about being prepared for what the future might hold, and taking action to position oneself for success in an ever-changing world. By linking the present and the future, individuals and organizations can be better prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Photo Credit: Arek Socha from Pixabay

This article will be continued with examples and scenario setting to better further understand this concept.

 

The Future of Writing