You know that moment at the start of a workshop — you’ve barely sat down, and the trainer asks you to introduce yourself and explain why you’re there?

Sometimes it’s hard to say anything meaningful. The words stumble, the mind goes blank. But after attending the Megatrends Masterclass and the Anticipatory Leadership Masterclass, I think I’ve finally found an answer that always works:

“I’m Ana, and I’m here because I believe learning never stops.”

Today, I want to share what I’ve learned about future scenario planning — and why I beleive that now more than ever, it’s a vital skill for anyone who wants to lead with authenticity and responsibility.

Leadership Isn’t About Titles — It’s About Impact

From “I want to be great” to “I want to help others”

No matter where you are in your career, whether you’re leading a team or running a company — most of us start with the same drive: to be the best. To be recognised. To be praised.

But over time, if you’re on the right path, that motivation shifts. You want to inspire your team. Help others succeed. That’s when leadership stops being about you — and starts being about them.

And that’s exactly when future scenario planning becomes essential. Because you’re no longer just leading people, you’re leading them somewhere. And to know where that is, you need to understand what might come next.

Change Begins with a Mindset

Change doesn’t start with a revolution. It starts with a single step — and it starts with the individual. If that annoys you or you disagree, get in touch — it’ll be an interesting conversation. 😄

But seriously: to truly grow as a leader, you need to shift your mindset. That’s where tools like these come in:

  • Future Back Thinking – using a vision of the future to make better decisions today
  • Present Forward Thinking – setting short-term goals to improve operational efficiency

Sometimes you’ll need one, sometimes both. The key is knowing when to use which.

Scenario Planning as a Leadership Tool

The future isn’t fiction, it’s a tool.

The future doesn’t just happen. It’s shaped. Or rather, it can be shaped when we treat it as a strategic asset.

Thinking through possible futures helps leaders to:

  • better understand the present
  • design more sustainable strategies
  • prepare for uncertainty
  • act proactively, not reactively

Planning for the Future Reduces Leadership Anxiety

Sounds counterintuitive? Yet, it’s backed by science.

Leaders who practice anticipatory thinking and explore possible future outcomes tend to show lower levels of anxiety and depression. When you have tools to understand uncertainty, it becomes less intimidating.

Tools for the Future — and People Who Know How to Use Them

I learned all these tools through my work with the Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies (CIFS), a partner of our Future Tense platform.

They’re brilliantly taught by Lasse Johanson, whose masterclasses I’d recommend to anyone who believes in lifelong learning and wants to strengthen their leadership through scenario-based thinking.

Leadership as the Art of Designing the Future

Leadership isn’t just about responding to today’s challenges. It’s about asking:
Where are we going? Why? And are we ready for what’s next?

Leaders of the future:

  • embrace complexity
  • see multiple scenarios as equally valid
  • use tools to anticipate, not just react
  • empower teams, rather than control them

That’s why future scenario planning is just as important as emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and ethics.

And finally, a quote from Leo Tolstoy that I keep as a reminder:

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”

Leadership starts with the change within. And the future — no matter how uncertain — can become our ally if we learn to look ahead, not just around.