Missing the input of millennials can be a huge disadvantage because they were “born digital” and rapid change is the norm for them.

Trucking into the future

March 10, 2016
Thoughts on recognizing opportunities and taking advantage of them to create the future.

When I began my career as a futurist in 2011, my presentations were focused on helping clients identify future trends and technologies that might impact their organizations. Lately, I’ve realized that I’m spending a larger and larger percentage of my time just talking about advancements that have already happened. Audience members are astounded by some of the examples I give, as they often think that they’re years, maybe even decades, away.

In many ways, the present has now become the future. Even five years ago, many technologies that are a reality today were viewed by most people as impossible. Or, they were relegated to the realms of science fiction or some “forever away” sounding year.

Take self-driving vehicles, for example. Autonomous vehicles have collectively driven themselves millions of miles. Almost every major auto manufacturer is currently hard at work developing their own models.

Commercial truck manufacturers have been paying attention as well. Daimler is forging ahead with self-driving trucks and already has begun testing prototypes on U.S. roads and in its native Germany. Five years ago that would have seemed unthinkable to most transportation experts.

Because technology is advancing so quickly, today it’s not as important to know about each specific trend and technology as it is to create an organizational culture that can thrive – or even just survive, in many cases – in the future.

Unlearning Expert

Holding onto old knowledge that no longer applies can prevent us from recognizing future possibilities and opportunities. We need to constantly “unlearn” our assumptions and work to let go of the old in order to make room for the new.

If you often find yourself saying, “because that’s how it’s always been done,” usually to a younger colleague or employee, that’s a strong indication that some unlearning might be in order and that the status quo should be reevaluated.  

The longer you’ve been successfully doing something, or the more of an expert you are in something, the more you need to be willing to “unlearn.” 

Take Action

What are some actions and next steps you can take to create a culture that can recognize emerging trends and take advantage of the opportunities they create?

- Take a Future 15 – We’re all busy. Unfortunately, saying you’re busy has almost become like a badge of honor or a certification of importance. However, we can all find 15 minutes, even just once a week, for a Future 15. Learn about a new technology on YouTube. Read a book about the future. Take a mini-class on Udemy, an online education marketplace.

There are unlimited options for you as long as you make it a priority and stop believing that you’re “too busy” to prepare for the future. 

- Change small talk to future talk – Next time you find yourself about to make small talk about the weather or yesterday’s game, try this: Mention something you learned in your last Future 15 instead. Turn small talk into future talk.

You might be surprised by where some of these conversations lead. Plus, you’ll seem a lot more interesting to others than you would by being the 10th person that day to say, “Hey, did you catch the game last night?”

- Find a reverse mentor – Mentorship has long been a standard practice among business professionals. However, in a fast moving future, it may be the executive who could benefit a lot more from a mentor, except not from an even more experienced executive, but from the exact opposite.

If you’re a Digital Immigrant (age 40-plus), find a Digital Native (millennial) to be your reverse mentor. They can help you see the world from their particular perspective, and you can share your valuable experience with them.

- Get millennials on board – One commonality among company management today in almost any industry is the distinct lack of millennials. Missing their input can be a huge disadvantage for those companies. Millennials were “born digital.” They grew up in a world of cellphones and laptops and all of the world’s information available on their smartphone or computer at any time. Rapid change is the norm for them.

They are now the largest generational group and already make up 35 percent of the workforce, so their millennial mindset should not be ignored, especially in the “boardroom.”

Create the Future

The world is going to continue to advance and the pace of advancement will continue to increase. Clinging to business-as-usual will be fatal in this new reality.

Change is uncomfortable and uncertainty isn’t much fun either, especially when it concerns our lives and careers, but change also creates opportunities. It’s up to us to recognize those opportunities and take advantage of them to create the future.

Simon Anderson is a Near Futurist with the consulting company Venture Foresight (www.ventureforesight.com). As an international speaker and a consultant, he works with leaders in transportation and other industries to help them recognize opportunities created by emerging trends and technologies, and to better position their organizational culture for success in the future. 

Sponsored Recommendations

Career Minded

The Peterbilt Technician Institute teaches you the skills needed for a lucrative and fulfilling career, transforming students into certified diesel technicians. Maximize your ...

Going Mobile: Guide To Starting A Heavy-Duty Repair Shop

Discover if starting a heavy-duty mobile repair business is right for you. Learn the ins and outs of licensing, building, and marketing your mobile repair shop.

Career Minded

The Peterbilt Technician Institute teaches you the skills needed for a lucrative and fulfilling career, transforming students into certified diesel technicians. Maximize your ...

Proactive Fuel Risk Management Guide

Download this informative guide to explore innovative techniques to prevent fuel fraud and misuse before it happens. Understand how to save 11% or more in fuel-related costs while...