March 2020: The world came to a standstill
Leaders everywhere were thrust into uncharted territory as COVID-19 disrupted every aspect of our lives. Suddenly, phrases like "remote work policies," "social distancing," and "masking up" became part of daily conversations. Schools were shuttered, forcing parents to juggle work responsibilities with teaching their kids math. Uncertainty dominated every decision, and the future seemed more unpredictable than ever.
In what felt like a parallel universe (or a multiverse, for all you Marvel fans!), I enrolled in a strategic foresight class and reached out to three organizations in one of the most vulnerable sectors of the economy to see if they would like to host a strategic foresight workshop. I did not count on all three saying “yes” without delay or deliberation.
The timing could not have been better.
Principle 5 of the Vision360 Leadership Framework provides a powerful starting point—focusing on your organization's peripheral vision.
The Leadership Challenge
Uncertainty creates anxiety. Leaders feel the weight of balancing immediate needs with long-term planning while grappling with the fear of the unknown. The tension is real: What if our plans fail? How do we adapt to forces outside our control?
This is where strategic foresight becomes a game-changer. Rather than fearing the future, foresight enables leaders to anticipate and shape it.
Principle 5: The starting point for a vision search is in an organization's peripheral vision—where the internal organization touches the external environment.
Vision360 Leadership Principle 5: Start with Peripheral Vision
In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to focus inward. But Principle 5 reminds us that growth and stability often lie at the intersection of internal capabilities and external change.
Consider Netflix in the early 2000s. At a time when DVD rentals were thriving, Netflix spotted a peripheral trend: the rise of streaming technology. Through foresight and scenario planning, the company pivoted its business model, ultimately becoming a global leader in entertainment. By scanning their environment and acting decisively, Netflix de-risked their future and positioned themselves ahead of the curve.
Similarly, when faced with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself applying these same foresight principles on a much smaller scale. In June 2020, I facilitated strategic foresight workshops for three non-profit organizations. These 90-minute sessions guided leaders through mapping out the potential future consequences of COVID-19’s changes. Teams identified weak signals, considered possible scenarios, and devised strategies to adapt. Lightbulbs went off as participants realized they already used foresight in everyday life—they just didn’t know what it was called.
By focusing on their peripheral vision, these leaders transformed anxiety into actionable insights.
The Power of Foresight
Strategic foresight isn’t about predicting the future; it’s about preparing for it. Here’s how it helps reduce uncertainty:
Detect Weak Signals: Identify early indicators of change in your environment.
Anticipate Challenges and Opportunities: Develop a proactive, rather than reactive, mindset.
Align Teams Around Strategy: Foster collaboration and clarity through shared foresight exercises.
When leaders de-risk uncertainty, they reduce its negative impact and create a more confident and capable organization.
Practical Tips for Using Foresight
Want to apply Principle 5 in your leadership practice? Start here:
Horizon Scanning: Regularly monitor trends in your industry and beyond. What patterns or shifts are emerging?
Scenario Planning: Develop potential future scenarios. How would your organization respond to each?
Vision Search Triggers: Use tools and frameworks (like those in Chapter 4 of Visionary Leadership) to identify opportunities and risks.
Ask yourself: What are the weak signals in my industry that could shape my organization’s future?
Connecting to Vision360 Leadership Coaching
At Teaiiano Leadership Solutions, we empower leaders to navigate uncertainty with confidence. Our coaching and workshops are designed to help you:
Detect and interpret signals of change.
Plan for multiple future scenarios.
Align your team around actionable strategies.
Here’s how you can get started today:
Closing Reflection
The future may be uncertain, but with the right tools, you can lead your organization with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Visionary leaders don’t just react to change—they shape it.
Are you ready to embrace the power of foresight and de-risk your organization’s future?
Stay tuned for Principle 6 where we’ll explore how founders navigate the tension between preserving autonomy and fostering team empowerment.
Visionary Leadership: A Guidebook for 21st Century Organizations and Entrepreneurial Teams introduces the Vision360 Leadership model—a framework crafted to help leaders and teams transform vision into reality. At Teaiiano Leadership Solutions, we integrate these principles into every aspect of our coaching, consulting, and leadership development to empower you to anticipate change, innovate with confidence, and achieve lasting success. You can purchase your copy of the book here to dive deeper into these transformative strategies, or explore more insights and resources at our home base: www.teaiiano.com.
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