Leaders Make the Future

About the Author

Bob Johansen, a distinguished futurist and leadership expert, is the mind behind "Leaders Make the Future: Ten New Leadership Skills for an Uncertain World." With a career spanning decades, Johansen has dedicated himself to understanding and shaping the future of leadership. As a Senior Scholar at the Institute for the Future, Johansen’s insights have been pivotal in guiding leaders through the complexities of an ever-evolving world. His extensive work with organizations and his commitment to forecasting future trends have positioned him as a thought leader in the realm of strategic leadership.

Main Idea

At the heart of Johansen's book is the assertion that the future of leadership demands a new set of skills to navigate an increasingly complex and uncertain world. Johansen argues that traditional leadership qualities are no longer sufficient to address the rapid changes and challenges that leaders face today. Instead, he proposes ten innovative skills that leaders must develop to thrive in this dynamic environment. These skills are designed to help leaders anticipate, adapt, and lead with resilience, ensuring their organizations not only survive but excel in the face of uncertainty.

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Embracing the Future
• Chapter 1: The Challenge of the Future
• Chapter 2: Ten New Leadership Skills
• Chapter 3: The Skill of Seeing the Future
• Chapter 4: The Skill of Making Sense of the Future
• Chapter 5: The Skill of Envisioning the Future
• Chapter 6: The Skill of Making the Future Happen
• Chapter 7: The Skill of Building Relationships
• Chapter 8: The Skill of Leading Change
• Chapter 9: The Skill of Staying Resilient
• Chapter 10: The Skill of Fostering Innovation
• Conclusion: Leading with Confidence in an Uncertain World

Introduction: Embracing the Future

Johansen opens the book by setting the stage for why the future of leadership is inextricably linked to how well leaders can anticipate and adapt to change. The introduction emphasizes that the future is not a predetermined path but a series of potential scenarios influenced by today’s decisions. Johansen's message is clear: leaders must be proactive and innovative, not reactive, to navigate the complexities of the modern world.

Chapter 1: The Challenge of the Future

In this chapter, Johansen outlines the key challenges that leaders will face in the coming years. He identifies rapid technological advancements, shifting demographics, and global interconnectedness as significant factors that will impact leadership. Johansen's analysis highlights the need for leaders to move beyond conventional strategies and adopt a mindset that embraces uncertainty and change.