The Future Quo ™

In the past few months since publishing our "Incubation" report, there has been incredible response and engagement from a growing community of both emerging and senior leaders dedicated to designing radically better futures. With nearly 350 downloads so far, it's clear that there is a hunger for refreshing ideas and new ways forward in this complex era we're alive in. We've hosted over 12 sessions ranging from 'lunch and learns' to webinars and university lectures. Our interactive exercises, including our beloved 'impossible, fantastical futures' exercise, have sparked lively discussions and deepened our collective understanding of what is happening within us in this era of evolution. What excites us most is how these concepts simultaneously resonate and stir some discomfort among groups -- this signals an opportunity for profound inquiry and growth. Get started with these flashcards summarizing key concepts from the report. Evaluate the status quo on the left-hand side of the flashcard, explore the shift on the right-hand side, and observe where your mind takes you. Use these flashcards as daily reminders of intentional ideas you can incorporate as you navigate the path forward. And of course, the report will always be available for download at: https://lnkd.in/evK_rZGJ

The Aspen Institute interviewed our founder, Tameka Vasquez, for their latest blog. She is an ambassador of Aspen's Better Arguments Project and a proponent of facilitating human-centered conversations about the future. We leverage Better Arguments Project principles as part of the toolkit in our work because, as Tameka stated, "we must be able to engage each other with an acceptance that we are not going to see the world in the same way...The fact that we come from different perspectives inherently means we will be more prepared." Read the blog. Get in touch if you need support facilitating conversations about futures and possibilities within a domain you seek to transform. https://lnkd.in/e97rA5JE

We're proud to have facilitated a session at The Aspen Institute for The Better Arguments Project — an initiative committed to enhancing the future of better civic discourse. A group of passionate leaders, united in the fight against polarization across various sectors, participated in our staple stream of consciousness exercise. We invited them to close their eyes and describe 'an impossible, fantastical future'. Here’s what they said:

Meaning. In our research, we unpacked people's relationship to time and where meaning is derived within the understanding that our time on Earth is limited. We found that people were less fixated on longevity and were more invested in how they use their time with heightened consciousness of the destinies of future generations. There is increased frustration with short-termism driven by capitalism and energy is beaming towards creating regenerative and durable systems and practices. https://lnkd.in/evK_rZGJ

A mindset shift is like changing the lens through which you view the world and your approach to it. 'Shifts' are crucial for futures thinking because it allows us to break free from rigid, conventional thoughts and open ourselves up to new possibilities in a rapidly-changing world. We're sharing some shifts to consider based on recent research. #confidence

Confidence. Our research opened conversations around organizational design and culture. We captured a need for improved communication and forward-looking innovation in organizations, with a notable focus on fostering teamwork and cooperation. The inequities in career advancement systems and traditional leadership models are opening eyes and ears for alternative visions and voices to reaffirm faith in the future. Confidence is made possible through collective effort, shared power and responsibility. Contrary to popular belief, it is not derived from individualism but in community-led values. https://lnkd.in/evK_rZGJ

A mindset shift is like changing the lens through which you view the world and your approach to it. 'Shifts' are crucial for futures thinking because it allows us to break free from rigid, conventional thoughts and open ourselves up to new possibilities in a rapidly-changing world. We're sharing some shifts to consider based on recent research. #permission

Permission. Throughout our research, we observed a recurring trend: people seem to be in anticipation of something significant or even supernatural that would empower them to assert values for people and the planet or reject norms that do not align with a vision for a thriving society. By perpetually waiting for conversations to trend or become normalized to give us permission to speak up or take action on values, we risk creating needed impact. https://lnkd.in/evK_rZGJ

A mindset shift is like changing the lens through which you view the world and your approach to it. 'Shifts' are crucial for futures thinking because it allows us to break free from rigid, conventional thoughts and open ourselves up to new possibilities in a rapidly-changing world. We're sharing some shifts to consider based on recent research. #pleasure

Pleasure. In our research, we explored what is created in a world where being professional often means being tough and laser-focused on productivity and results, a departure from the broader spectrum of the human experience. The reasons why we work, beyond mere survival, are getting less time and less attention. To challenge the ways professional survival and achievement stands at odds with personal healing and joy, activating pleasure can be a path toward futures that reconnect and nurture the whole self. https://lnkd.in/evK_rZGJ