Lead the Future You Want, Not the One You’re Given

Can You Really Influence the Future?

When I’m speaking with strategic leaders, I often hear this question: “If the future is unfolding anyway, where do we actually have control?”

The answer lies in understanding Soft Trends — those future possibilities that aren’t locked in, that are shaped by our choices. Unlike Hard Trends, which are based on future certainties like demographics or technology cycles, Soft Trends are open to influence.

In other words, they’re where your leadership makes the biggest difference.

What Makes a Soft Trend so Powerful?

Soft Trends aren’t predictions. They’re directional cues. They emerge from human behavior, beliefs, and social dynamics — all of which are adaptable.

Where Hard Trends show you what will happen, Soft Trends allow you to shape how it happens. This gives leaders:

• Room to maneuver
• Time to adapt
• Opportunities to innovate before disruption hardens