Future Focused Foundations

We live in a world of unprecedented change, volatility, and complexity. Individual, community, environmental, and economic well-being will require individuals, organizations, government, and businesses motivated and prepared to serve as catalysts for interdisciplinary, innovative, and future-focused approaches. Ultimately, the transformative change that will be essential requires a different kind of leadership and organization. Most importantly, it will require everyone at all levels - with or without a title - to be part of innovation and collaboration. This kind of change will often be one driven by "fourth sector" leaders able to combine the best of the public sector (governments), private sector (for-profits), and social sector (non-profits). This Fourth Sector will require leaders who are willing and able to work across sectors to tackle complicated challenges that the other three sectors have been unable or unwilling to solve.

This course provides an overview of the three components that are essential for future-focused or fourth sectors leadership:  (1) community-led development, (2) strategic foresight, and (3) systems-thinking. Key learnings, how to's, promising practices, and resources will demystify the confusion many are experiencing while illuminating a clearer direction for moving toward a better future.