The term “futurist” has been mostly associated with those who attempt to explore and understand the future while predicting what might come of these future scenarios. Those that fall into this area of interests are usually authors, consultants, researchers, and organizational leaders among others. A futurist is a social scientist who assesses issues taking place in the present with implications for the future. They tend to approach their work from a systems thinking and interdisciplinary perspective.

Some have highlighted that futurism may have begun with H.G. Wells. There are some highly accomplished names associated with futurists, such as Ray Kurzweil, Peter Drucker, and Carl Sagan among others. Some have even referred to futurists as trends advisors, and I understand because there are definitely some similarities. A key similarity is to help organizations, its leaders, and workforce help themselves.

I, on the other hand, like to consider myself more pragmatic and for this reason tend to refer to myself as a trends advisor. Part of the reason for this is that I don’t feel comfortable or have not been too successful at foretelling the future, which I rightly or wrongly associate with a futurist.

As a trends advisor, I don’t necessarily predict for others what will occur due to the trends. What I tend to do is present the trends based on research and numerous studies and writings and then turn them into a mirror to the organizations and leaders I am speaking to. I have them reflect on what I have shared and ask them to consider what the implications might be for their organization and workforce. I have the audience consider how well they may or may not be addressing the changing trends taking place.

I began thinking, speaking, and writing about trends several years back when I wrote my first book, “The Perfect Human Capital Storm.” I recently created a presentation and, with the help of one of the latest trends—the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI)—I created an eBook titled “The Perfect Human Capital Storm, 3.0” (since it is my third edition) and posted it on my website, Human Intelligent (HI) Workplace.

In the growing era of exponential growth and change, especially in the era of AI, I believe organizations can position themselves for success if they focus on the changing trends and listen to trends advisors. This will be done while reflecting on the implications of the highlighted trends for their organizations, leaders, and workforce, and creating an action plan or change initiative to position their organization for success.

This is further highlighted by an acronym that has been around for a while and is used to represent what organizations are facing in these turbulent times. VUCA looks to be replaced by one that seems more relevant for today’s fast-changing times, BANI. VUCA highlights the environment organizations have been facing, which are ones of being volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. BANI, on the other hand, stands for brittle, anxious, non-linear, and incomprehensible. Irrespective of your preference for the acronym, organizations will be smart to consider working with a Trends Advisor.