Join 40,000 other subscribers who get Great Leadership delivered directly to their inbox each week. You’ll get access to my best thinking and latest content. Sign up today.

If you’re a Chief Human Resources or Chief People Officer, then you can request to join a brand new community I put together called Future Of Work Leaders which focuses on the future of work and employee experience. Join leaders from Tractor Supply, Johnson & Johnson, Lego, Dow, Northrop Grumman and many others. We come together virtually each month and once a year in-person to tackle big themes that go beyond traditional HR.

The rules of leadership are constantly being rewritten as the world of work goes through a relentless change. Today, unpredictability is the norm, and in these “perma-crisis” environments, the traditional leadership playbook no longer applies. How do you plan for the future when the present feels so uncertain? More importantly, how do you ensure your team rises above in the face of disruption?

In this episode of Future Ready Leadership, Lisa Bodell, Bestselling Author of “Kill the Company” and “Why Simple Wins”, unpacks these challenges and offers a roadmap to becoming future-ready, practical tools and strategies to help leaders face uncertainty with confidence.

Listen to the episode here on Apple Podcast & leave a review!

Why Agility and Resilience Are Non-Negotiable

Sticking to rigid plans doesn’t work in today’s unpredictable world. Instead, agility and resilience help leaders and organizations adapt quickly to challenges, turning problems into opportunities for growth and success.

The Role of Foresight in Leadership

Instead of reacting to change, Lisa highlights how foresight tools like STEEP (which looks at Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, and Political factors) and the Futures Wheel can help leaders proactively prepare for a range of possible futures, turning uncertainty into a competitive advantage. These tools let organizations plan for different possibilities instead of just reacting when things go wrong.

Uncovering Blind Spots Through Innovation Exercises

One of Lisa’s standout approaches is the “Kill the Company” exercise, which forces leaders to think like their biggest competitors and identify the vulnerabilities in their business. This approach not only uncovers risks but also encourages fresh ideas and keeps companies ahead of the competition.

Human-Centered Skills in an AI-Driven World

As AI and technology continue to grow, Lisa stresses the importance of human skills like curiosity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. These traits can’t be replaced by machines and are essential for building strong teams and thriving in the modern workplace.

Listen to the episode here on Apple Podcast & leave a review!

Strategies to Help Leaders Prepare for What’s Next

To tackle the unpredictable head-on, Lisa shares a range of practical strategies for leaders:

  • Shift from Planning to Preparing: Many organizations spend too much time locked into rigid strategic plans. Lisa suggests flipping the script by using foresight tools like STEEP to explore broader trends and uncover opportunities beyond the immediate horizon.

  • Think in Scenarios, Not Certainties: Tools like the Futures Wheel and Cone of Possibilities allow leaders to map out potential futures, from best-case to worst-case scenarios. This approach equips leaders with plans for multiple outcomes, making them more adaptable when the unexpected happens.

  • Challenge Your Own Thinking: Lisa’s “Kill the Company” exercise is a bold yet effective way to uncover weaknesses and innovate before competitors do. It’s not just about identifying threats—it’s about turning them into opportunities for growth.

  • Double Down on Human Skills: Curiosity, agility, and resilience aren’t just buzzwords—they’re essential traits for navigating uncertainty. Lisa explains why leaders must prioritize these skills in themselves and their teams, especially in a world increasingly influenced by AI.

  • Turn Fear into Opportunity: Fear of the future can hold leaders back, but addressing it head-on is the key to growth. Lisa shares how foresight techniques can help leaders confront their fears and turn them into actionable strategies for success.

Final Thoughts

Leadership isn’t both about managing the present and preparing for what’s next. With Lisa Bodell’s insights, you have a clear, actionable roadmap for becoming a future-ready leader, whether it’s through foresight exercises, innovation strategies, or fostering the human skills your team needs most.

If you’re ready to transform uncertainty into opportunity and lead with confidence, don’t miss this episode. Listen to the full conversation with Lisa Bodell below, and get the tools you need to prepare for whatever comes next.

Listen to the episode here on Apple Podcast & leave a review!

🎧 Listen here

🎧 Watch on YouTube

Comments