In this special episode, Zoe, a leadership futurist and Canadian Australian in Canberra, dives deep into the implications of the US election results. Despite living outside the US, she reflects on the global ripple effects of American democracy and economy, discusses the division between political sides, and explores the values and stories driving these reactions.

Zoe examines the leadership maturity framework and emphasizes the importance of curiosity, compassion, and systemic thinking in bridging political divides. She also stresses the necessity of supporting security and education initiatives to build a better future.

Full Shownotes here.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to the U.S. Election Solo Sode

00:15 Why the U.S. Election Matters Globally

01:26 Diverse Reactions to the Election Results

02:26 Understanding Moral Outrage

03:30 Analyzing Values in the Election

06:00 The Power of Compelling Stories

07:07 Leadership Maturity and Election Dynamics

11:01 Elon Musk: Genius or Power Player?

12:49 Moving Forward: System Thinking and Civic Responsibility

17:07 Conclusion: Bridging the Gap for a Better Future

This week, we explore the future of leadership, focusing on exponential thinking and futures literacy with Charlotte Kemp. We discuss the importance of developing a flexible mindset, utilising strategic foresight tools, and adopting iterative learning methods to navigate an increasingly complex world.

The conversation covers various topics, including SpaceX's innovations, the impact of generative AI on creativity, and practical techniques for intelligence gathering and scenario planning.

SHOWNOTES are here

Key Quotes:
1. "Exponential thinking is about understanding that we have to change our thinking for the pace and the time that we're in; the world is so much faster and more complex." Zoë Routh
2. "Futures thinking gives us the tools to anticipate change, allowing us to be more agile and flexible in how we respond to whatever happens next." Charlotte Kemp
3. "As leaders, we must get really good at asking genius questions and creating unusual connections, as that is where our true value lies." Zoë Routh
4. "Our brains can't tell whether what we're thinking about is an imaginary story or a real experience, which is why we need to prepare ourselves for both worst-case and best-case scenarios." Charlotte Kemp
5. "The old five-year strategic plan can be thrown out; we need new ways of approaching our leadership that reflect the interconnected, fast-paced world we live in." Zoë Routh

Questions Asked:
What is exponential thinking?
What are some examples of different ways of approaching our leadership or our thinking in an exponential world?
How do these tools, like scenario planning, actually prepare our brains?What practical steps can leaders take to ensure they are prepared for both negative and positive outcomes?

Take Action
1. Develop a flexible mindset by regularly challenging your assumptions and seeking diverse perspectives.
2. Practice scenario planning to prepare for multiple possible futures.
3. Implement iterative learning methods in your organization to adapt quickly to changes.
4. Engage in environmental scanning to gather intelligence on emerging trends and potential disruptions.
5. Cultivate futures literacy by exploring various futures thinking tools and methodologies

Tip of the Week
Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments
00:00 Welcome to the Future of Leadership
00:33 SpaceX and the Journey to Mars
01:16 Leadership Training in Western Australia
01:49 Upcoming Projects on Planet Zoe
02:38 The Role of Generative AI in Creativity
04:09 Introducing Charlotte Kemp: Futures Alchemist
04:57 Understanding Exponential Thinking
07:04 The Importance of Futures Thinking
09:25 Scenario Planning: Preparing for the Future
17:38 Mistakes in Strategic Leadership
22:29 Mindset, Toolset, and Skillset for Future Leadership
24:27 The Four Stages of Futures Thinking
24:37 Gathering Intelligence: The First Stage
24:48 Managing Change: The Second Stage
25:23 Describing the Future: The Third Stage
25:33 Testing Strategy: The Fourth Stage
26:58 Practical Techniques for Intelligence Gathering
30:24 Avoiding Confirmation Bias
32:35 Examples of Leading Exponentially
34:26 Iterative vs. Revolutionary Approaches
36:56 The Fast Three: Quickfire Questions
40:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, we explore the importance of recognizing non-obvious trends and their implications for leadership and innovation with Rohit Bhargava, a 3-time Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author.

We discuss Norway's electric vehicle advancements, the preparation for the Leadership Conclave, and methods for effective trend spotting, including the Haystack method and scenario planning.

Learn how to spot the next big thing and position yourself for success.

SHOWNOTES are here.

Key Quotes

• "We can't solve the whole problem with just one part of the problem; we need to think in systems." - Zoe Routh
• "Leaders must create mental space to uncover insights." - Rohit Bhargava
• "Embrace the obvious insights; they often hold the key to broader understanding." - Rohit Bhargava

Questions Asked:

• What are you paying attention to?
• How can leaders prepare for emerging trends?
• What role does creativity play in recognizing patterns?

Take Action:

• Practice non-obvious thinking by observing everyday trends.
• Engage in scenario planning to anticipate future developments.
• Read Rohit Bhargava's book, Non-Obvious Thinking, for deeper insights.

Tip of the Week:
Review the collaboration self-checklist - available for subscribers only. Join the community here. You’ll get 40 book summaries and recommendations on Leading Strategy and Performance, along with a special secret audio from my award-winning book, People Stuff.

Key Moments
00:00 Welcome and Weekly Question
00:17 Electric Vehicle Revolution in Norway
01:38 Leadership Conclave Preparation
02:28 Reflecting on the Past and Future
05:43 Introducing Rohit Bhargava
06:50 Discussing Non-Obvious Trends
21:37 Breaking the Rules of Book Publishing
22:54 Time Horizons in Non-Obvious Thinking
25:37 Scenario Planning and Trend Prediction
28:39 The Haystack Method for Pattern Recognition
30:46 Surprising Insights in Non-Obvious Thinking
36:32 The Fast Three: Quickfire Questions
39:56 Podcast Wrap-Up and Listener Engagement