Learning From Leaders Around The World

Frank Diana Future Scenarios, Pandemics , , , , , , , ,

One of the perks of my role is the interaction I have with leaders around the world. Thursday of this week, I had the pleasure of participating in a virtual round table hosted by C-Level. The topic was “Rehearsing Post-Pandemic Futures.” I did 30 minutes of presentation which included poll questions. It was followed by 30 minutes of Q&A. I want to share some of the insights of the session over a series of posts – starting with a poll that we positioned at the start of the presentation, and then again at the end.

As I have said before, accelerated learning is a key to future success. These interactions accelerate my learning – it is my hope that by sharing, it accelerates learning for the community. Here are the pre-presentation and post-presentation responses.

COVID-19 Impact on the Future

Your participation in the poll helps the broader community learn. Please take a second to respond below.

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What Are Your Thoughts On A Post-Pandemic World?

Frank Diana Pandemics

If I’ve learned anything from my global interactions, its that there are very smart people out there that have much to contribute to any discussion. I have found the richest insight and foresight has come from interaction in both the physical and digital world. Participation in polls, comments on social posts, and interaction with leaders around the world is worth more than any amount of research I can do.

With that said, I am doing a virtual presentation today for a leadership audience in Europe. I have several polls that I will use as part of the session. As a post session activity, I am launching several additional polls through this post. Please participate and provide your thoughts on a post-pandemic world.

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Global Progress and The Post-War Order

Frank Diana Pandemics , , , , , , , , , ,

A recent Article by Bryan Walsh explores the human development enabled by a post-world war two order. To avoid a repeat of the turbulence of the Thirty Year period that began in 1915, this post-war order was established. Institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), United Nations (UN), World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) were formed. Despite an occasional spike of violence, the article reports that the absolute number of people killed in war and conflict has been declining since 1946.

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The Rise Of the Smart City

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In my ongoing search for signals that point to potential futures, I both stumble upon great insight, or am made aware of it. When it’s the latter, I wrestle with how much to share. I use the value of the insight as my decision criteria, and in the case of this smart city infographic, I am compelled to share. However, this insight (and all other signals) must be viewed through the lens of the current pandemic. What, if anything, is impacted as a result  of changes in human behavior? For example, will the projections of mass urbanization hold, or will fear of living in dense areas reverse that trend – essentially serving as an obstacle? Does the city revenue shortfall accelerate the march towards a Next Generation of Productivity? Does a growing appreciation for science shine a light on climate change, thereby accelerating the focus on sustainability?

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Accelerating Towards Digital Transformation

Frank Diana Automated society, Future Scenarios, Pandemics , , , , , , ,

It’s easy to view the current crisis as a catalyst for change. Lying beneath the surface are signals that major change is required, and when crisis emerges, hope for that change emerges with it. In most cases however, that change never materializes. The last two months have brought countless predictions of what is to come. While we need to consider the low percentage of successful post-crisis predictions in the past, two trends look likely to materialize: accelerated digital transformation, and a rapid path to automation.

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A Digital Divide

Frank Diana Future Scenarios, Pandemics , , , , , , , , , ,

COVID-19 continues to expose pre-existing issues. While our human development has undeniably advanced through each phase of the industrial revolution, more work remains to be done. The first industrial revolution delivered mechanization – and yet 600 million people still do not benefit from it. The second revolution brought us sanitation, clean water, and electricity, and yet 3.6 billion people still lack one or more of those innovations. The third revolution brought us the internet and all things digital – and yet 3.7 billion people do not have access to the Internet. This Article by Douglas Broom states that the majority live in poorer countries, where the need to spread information about how to combat COVID-19 is most urgent. The issue was there, now it is likely to get more attention.

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