ABSTRACT
I have a vested interest in the future, because I plan on living there. Neil Gersenfeld
Predicting the future is a risky business. As a result, futurists engage in various forms of trend analysis to discern change that is still in a formative stage (Burrus, 2011, 1994; Laermer, 2002; Naisbitt, Phillips, & Naisbitt, 2001; Popcorn & Hanft, 2001). Futurists then “analyze” the data by creating multiple scenarios. Scenarios offer concrete examples of how “what if” questions could unfold in the short-and long-term. Strategic leadership involves weighing the costs, benefi ts, and risks associated with each scenario, and determining if one or more scenarios warrant action.
