Leaders Build a Bridge to the Future They Desire

The Future Won’t Wait—Neither Should You

Do you think about the future? If you have been reading these weekly musings, you think about a great deal like me. But what do we do about it?

Leadership is about foresight.

At the moment, I am putting the finishing touches on our brand new one-day leadership workshop, SONAR Leadership 2.0. I am using the story of the Titanic disaster as the source of lessons we can all learn to avoid hitting proverbial ‘icebergs’ in the future.

When we look to the future, are we looking for the existing risks?

We must, as leaders, pause to plan for our development. And that of our teams.

The dilemma is that today’s demands often overshadow tomorrow’s needs. Deadlines, decisions, and disruptions vie for our attention. It’s easy to think, “I’ll focus on my growth later.“

But here’s the catch: later never comes unless you make it happen.

The Case for Future-Ready Leadership

Great leaders don’t just guide others – they grow alongside them. You know this already. When you think of the best leaders you have ever worked for, you see them growing continually. It wasn’t just something that they talked about. You saw it happening.

When you invest in your development, you’re not just sharpening your skills but setting an example. You’re showing your team that learning never stops. And when your team sees you prioritizing growth, they’re inspired to do the same.

Leadership, or shall we say, “influence,” is contagious.

Your actions today influence the culture of your team tomorrow.

So, a good question to ask yourself is: what kind of culture am I modeling?

Professional Growth Starts with a Plan

Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design.

It’s easy to say I’ll grow as challenges arise. But reactive growth keeps you playing catch-up.

Proactive growth puts you ahead of the curve. It’s the difference between being a ready leader and feeling overwhelmed.

Start by asking yourself:

What skills will I need five years from now?
What trends will shape my industry—and how can I stay ahead?
Who can I learn from to expand my perspective?

A clear plan doesn’t just map out where you want to go but builds the bridge that takes you there.

Your Best Future Leader Self

In our new workshop, Your Best Future Leader Self, we developed an innovative tool to inspire and challenge participants. This exercise invites them to envision their future and articulate their vision of their best possible leader-self.

We guide them through reflecting on 20 key attributes that define this ideal version of themselves, encouraging them to evaluate what steps they’re currently taking to grow in each area.

It’s a transformative and thought-provoking experience that helps leaders bridge the gap between who they are now and who they aspire to become.

Your Team’s Future Depends on Yours

Your growth doesn’t just benefit you. It impacts everyone you lead.

Teams crave clarity. They need leaders who can confidently navigate uncertainty, leaders who aren’t just reacting to change but shaping the path forward.

By prioritizing your growth, you equip yourself to provide that clarity. You’re not just preparing for the future but empowering your team to thrive. Gaining clarity about what the future holds, we can prepare ourselves and our teams for it.

In 1912, industry leaders considered the Titanic “unsinkable—the Wonder Ship!” The vessel was so big that nothing terrible could happen, resulting in a culture of complacency throughout the organization.

Emergency procedures were not developed, and emergency drills were not held. As a result, when disaster struck, many lifeboats were launched half-empty because the crew did not realize there were only 1,200 lifeboat seats for the 2,444 people on board.

Only 710 people found safety in lifeboats.

We Must Make Development a Non-Negotiable

Please block out time for your growth this week. Yes, your calendar is full, and yes, you have responsibilities. But if you don’t prioritize your development, who will?

Each Sunday morning, I complete my “Gold Time.” I review a weekly plan, looking forward to the next seven days, and expand it to a much bigger plan that looks forward one year.

But whatever you do, start small. Take a course, read a book, join a mastermind, or engage a coach.

Every action you take toward your growth has a compounding effect. Over time, it transforms your leadership and your team’s trajectory.

Leadership: A Continuous Journey of Discovery

The best leaders understand this: When you stop growing, you stop leading.

Planning for the future isn’t just about strategy or innovation. It’s about ensuring you and your team are equipped for what’s next.

The Titanic was equipped with binoculars—lots of them—but they were never used. They were all locked away in a cabinet.

Second Officer David Blair held the key to that cabinet. In a last-minute leadership change decision, Blair was asked to sit out the trip before the ship departed from Southampton on April 9, 1912. Leaving the Titanic at the last minute and likely very disappointed, Blair forgot to hand the key to his replacement.