by Several years ago I identified five approaches to positioning foresight.
The infiltration approach could be viewed as a hybrid between the stealth and the evolved. The idea emerged from conversations with soon-to-be graduates in our Futures Studies Master’s Program and our Certificate course participants. We, understandably, have lots of conversations about jobs. There are relatively few openly advertised positions for futurists — we don’t see these positions in the want ads. An occasional posting will circulate on futures listserves, such as the Association of Professional Futurists. But foresight work is being done, so, how do we get futurists into these positions?
The infiltration approach suggests building a resume of skills that gets one close to where the foresight work is being done. Really, most traditional skill set will do, be it those of market research, new business development, human resources, etc. Then, we marry those skills sets with some foresight training. And we get a position close to the foresight action! The infiltrator volunteers to be on teams that deal with foresight projects, and begins a process of slowly but steadily building their internal foresight credibility. It’s sorta like the “evolved” position, but with a plan and intent.
Maybe some readers have tried this? Love to hear about it! Andy Hines
Good post, Andy. I am an infiltrator of sorts. In doing so, I find myself translating the futures studies lingo into the niche I am trying to apply.
In the engineering world, I never ever use the term “potential futures.” Instead I talk about “uncertainty” and how the set of solution states is “undetermined, yet bounded” Engineers are comfortable in talking about ops concept, risk, uncertainty and contingency. They won’t respond well to “visioning,” “alternative futures,” and “wildcards.” Although engineers have plenty of their own lingo, they are suspicious of the buzzwords of other, especially less technical, fields.
In the church, I am working on a different translation. How does futures studies translate to faith? Some of this requires a basic philosophical shift in focus, but faith is inherently futuristic. I just need to take what our field expresses in humanistic terms and translate into the language of faith. Spiritually-mature Christians should be great futurists. Faith, Hope and Love are really all about what one does in the present for a desired outcome in future time (and I’m not just talking about the afterlife.)
I think infiltration is a great strategy. Expressing a irresistible value proposition — using the right translated language — is the key.
yes, the importance of language! That is part of the infiltration strategy for sure! Interesting blend for your, engineers and the church.