Leadership

Abstract

Plans do not implement themselves; people implement them, and these people are called leaders. Leaders create transformational change by leading organizations, communities or whole societies from one era to the next. Mapping the future is one thing, and a very important thing, but futurists aspire to influence the future as well. Sometimes they advocate for a preferred future, acting as leaders themselves; more often they help others realize their aspiration to accomplish something of significance. While many futurists are more comfortable in the role of provocateur — and that is a valuable and necessary role — sometimes they need to go further and be more proactive by stimulating action — or watch their research and insight put on the shelf to gather dust.