Being forward-thinking is undoubtedly a valuable skill in today’s rapidly changing world. But what does it truly mean to be forward-thinking? The answer may lie in understanding your unique strengths profile through a comprehensive assessment like the HIGH5 test. By identifying your inherent talents and tendencies, you can unlock your ability to proactively drive change based on current circumstances rather than awaiting future validation.
The HIGH5 strengths test provides personalized insights to help you leverage your natural inclinations toward becoming a more adaptable and forward-thinking individual. In this article, we will discuss what you can do to become more forward-thinking, which can eventually lead to being more successful. We will also mention traits that are common among successful individuals. Keep reading to find out more.
What is forward thinking?
A forward-thinking mindset is proactive, instead of reactive. Forward thinkers are always looking ahead and planning for the future. They aren’t afraid of taking risks, and they are always willing to learn and grow. Forward thinkers are often highly creative and open-minded when it comes to problem-solving, which allows them to discover new ways of doing things. A forward thinker is someone you would always want by your side – in the workplace as well as in life – because of their ability to meet challenges and problems with a different approach than yourself to find effective solutions.
People who have a forward-thinking mindset know that success doesn’t come without hard work, so they keep pushing themselves even in the face of challenges. They’re constantly thinking of their next step rather than being satisfied with where they are right now. Forward thinkers don’t settle for the status quo – they want more out of life and aren’t afraid to do what it takes to achieve their goals.
Examples of forward thinking
Internet
One notable example of forward-thinking is the development of the internet. Pioneers like Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn, who conceptualized the idea of an “internet,” envisioned a global network of information already in the 1970s – long before the concept was technically feasible or widely understood.
Their ability to anticipate the impact of digital interconnectedness on communication, commerce, and information exchange fundamentally transformed society. This example underscores the power of forward-thinking in identifying potentialities and steering technological innovation toward realizing those possibilities.
Electric vehicles
Another illustration of forward-thinking can be observed in the realm of renewable energy, specifically in the work of Elon Musk with Tesla, Inc. Musk’s commitment to renewable energy solutions and the mass production of electric vehicles (EVs) reflects an acute awareness of the looming climate crisis and the urgent need for sustainable transportation alternatives. By focusing on the development of EVs and sustainable energy products, Tesla has revolutionized the automotive industry and set a precedent for integrating environmental sustainability into corporate strategy. This showcases how forward thinking is crucial in addressing global challenges by envisioning and implementing innovative solutions, prioritizing long-term health and well-being over short-term gains.
Why it is important to have a forward thinker in the workplace?
Forward-thinkers are invaluable for any organization striving for sustainable growth. Their proactive mindset allows them to make well-informed decisions that steer the company in the right direction. What’s more, their ability to think ahead and anticipate roadblocks enables them to devise innovative solutions to seemingly intractable problems. This is where leveraging a tool like the HIGH5 strengths assessment can be game-changing. By gaining insights into the unique talents of your workforce, you can strategically place forward-thinking individuals in roles that maximize their strengths, driving your company’s success.
By employing a forward thinker, a company can increase its chances of creating new ideas and solutions as opposed to the same old thing. In addition, by having a person with a forward-thinking mindset in leadership positions or other high-ranking roles within a company, employees will be more inclined to follow the order because they trust that this individual has good judgment. By being on top of things at all times, you will improve yourself as well as those around you by helping them through difficult situations.
Top 10 benefits of having a forward thinker as a leader or team member
Forward-thinking employees:
- Understand the importance of awareness of the big picture and hold the ability to predict events ahead of time.
- Possess a strong desire for continuous learning and improvement.
- Are driven by change and new experiences.
- Are adept at turning problems into opportunities.
- Are effective communicators that listen carefully and have an open mind.
- Are comfortable with ambiguity, making decisions quickly while remaining thorough.
- Are able to create excitement about change and inspire others to accept it.
- Have a high degree of self-awareness, understanding their strengths & limitations as well as those of others on the team.
- Can handle criticism constructively and bounce back from failure.
- Have the ability to make decisions with incomplete or conflicting information.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Conduct team-based strengths assessments like HIGH5 to gain a holistic understanding of your collective capabilities. This insight can help you strategically distribute responsibilities and projects in a way that leverages everyone’s unique strengths towards achieving a common, forward-thinking vision.
Strategies & training to improve forward-thinking skills
There are various strategies and training that can help someone become more forward-thinking.
Unify your team around goals tied to one vision
It’s important to have a good vision for your team or company, but it should involve more than a PowerPoint slide or bullet points on a whiteboard. There needs to be an element of buy-in from all employees so they understand their direction and how it will help them personally grow. If someone disagrees with the vision, it will affect their performance, and potentially have a negative impact on the overall company. Even if you don’t have a formal leadership position, you need to work with the team and make sure everyone is on the same page to avoid unproductiveness.
Branch out and learn from other organizations
No matter what business you’re in, it’s a good idea to learn from others who have been successful in industries similar to yours. You need to research other organizations and look at their successes, but you also need to identify their shortcomings so you can avoid making the same mistakes. If there are key people who have been fairly successful with a different type of organization, consider inviting them over for a workshop, showing them your organization, and asking for advice. This provides an excellent opportunity for discovering new strategies and improving the performance of everyone around you.
Remember the rule of three
When faced with a problem or a challenge, the Rule of Three is a powerful tool to help you break down difficult projects into smaller, more manageable portions, and make it easier to achieve your goals.
The Rule of Three is a principle applied to many areas. In storytelling, a trio of characters or events proves more engaging than other numbers. In communication, marketing, and public speaking, The Rule of Three is a long-established principle for generating captivating rhetorics and is utilized by many famous speakers [1]. In the process of decision-making, introducing a third alternative might also make it easier to choose than if presented with the dilemma of only two solutions [2].
When it comes to planning – whether in a management or leadership position or in your day-to-day work – the Rule of Three can also be a simple yet effective way to achieve higher productivity. In his book “Getting Results the Agile Way”, J.D. Meier states that “Productivity isn’t about doing more things – it’s about doing the right things.” [3]. The importance of having a clear set of goals ready at the beginning of each day – and these do not have to be extensive or complicated. One tip he shares with his readers is to start each day by deciding three things you want to accomplish by the end of the day, and then do the same with each week.
Read & watch
There are many great books written about psychology and human decision-making processes that any forward-thinking individual should try to read when they get a chance. One highly relevant and helpful book is ” Thinking Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman which talks about biases in the human decision-making process. Other books centered around the subject worth checking out are for instance “The Art of Thinking Clearly” by Rolf Dobelli, on the psychology of human reasoning, or “Conscious Leadership: Elevating Humanity Through Business” by John Mackey, which is focused more on innovative thinking strategies and self-development within the business world.
Documentaries can also be a great source of inspiration because they can showcase psychological biases, and strategies to improve decision-making skills and highlight common mistakes people make when thinking about certain issues or trying different things in life that often lead to failure. Examples of relevant documentaries on the subject which can be useful to watch are for instance the BBC documentary “How You Really Make Decisions”, or – as insight into business planning strategies you probably should not apply – documentaries like “Bankrupt Billionaire” or “Inside Job”.
Take risks, kick tires, and experiment
Don’t be afraid to try something different – even if you have always done things one way before. It’s important to get out of your comfort zone to avoid being stuck in a rut without making progress. There are many good articles and sources providing tips and tricks on how to approach issues and resolve tasks in novel ways. For instance, you can have a look at this article, presenting 40 different problem-solving techniques and processes that may prove useful to you. Experimenting is what will help improve the company culture overall because it might lead to new ideas that could save time or money, or improve relationships with other teams and employees..
Abandon control
As a team leader or company owner / it’s easy to get stuck in your ways and fail to delegate tasks because you feel as if no one else knows what they’re doing. That is where you might be wrong. Try instead to approach your colleagues or employees, seek their advice, and put other people in charge of tasks and projects, and you will be amazed by how much talent is right under your nose.
Set aside time for forward-thinking
To be a forward thinker, you need to make sure that you have an appropriate schedule in place so you can plan ahead, work more officially, and avoid feeling overwhelmed or falling behind. This can mean organizing team meetings in which staff members get to present their current project and share advice, r it might just mean setting aside some personal time on your calendar each week so you can brainstorm new ideas or try something different than what you usually do. There is no right or wrong way to do this – you need to invest time in figuring out what schedule and strategy works best for you and your company.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
After taking the HIGH5 strengths test, identify areas where you excel at strategic thinking, creativity, and open-mindedness – all vital components of a forward-thinking mindset. Consciously invest in developing these strengths through targeted training, job aids, or stretch assignments that challenge you to apply them in new contexts.
8 traits and characteristics of a forward thinker
- Not dwelling on the past
- Seeing the larger picture
- The creative & analytical balance (synergy)
- Keeping a solid vision
- Not being trapped by conventional thinking
- Perseverance
- Being open to possibilities
- Taking responsibility for one’s destiny
Not dwelling on the past
When someone overthinks too much about the past, they stop thinking forward. Forward thinkers are always trying to improve, and dwelling on the past isn’t a helpful way to move the company or themselves forward. Forward-thinking people understand you hold grudges, and that it’s better for everyone to leave the past behind and move on. There is no point in dwelling on your failures – the best thing is to try to learn from them to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future, and try again until you get it right. Unsuccessful attempts are natural, and it’s a part of the learning process.
Seeing the larger picture
A forward thinker can look beyond what’s right in front of them and into the future without getting caught up in unimportant details so that they are better equipped to make decisions for the future of the company or themselves.
The creative & analytical balance (synergy)
While creativity is an important part of problem-solving, it is not the only one. Focusing solely on creativity as a strategy can lead to uncalculated and impractical solutions. A person who focuses solely on creativity might come up with new inventions or strategies, but these could in the worst case turn out unproductive because they failed to estimate the actual effectiveness of the idea or how long it would take to develop. For instance, you could spend weeks coming up with a bright, new idea of how to make paper clips, but if you fail to make sure these clips actually manage to hold the papers together, it would be a complete waste of time. In short, creativity needs to be balanced with logic and practicality.
Keeping a solid vision
Having a solid vision means you’re not easily swayed by other people’s opinions, but you’re also able to view a situation from all sides and know what needs to be done to resolve an issue. A forward thinker knows that getting stuck on one idea or option can come back to bite them in the future. They aren’t afraid of change and welcome it because they understand it’s the only way to grow as a person, as a company, a team member, and as a human being. They have a strong sense of self-belief and trust their instincts, and they have put time into studying other people’s ideas to get inspired to find the strategies.
In addition, they don’t let other people’s opinions and negativity hold them back from doing what they want, affect their self-image, or stop them from believing in themselves. Forward thinkers know you can’t please everyone, and that the best way to be happy in your life is to stay true to yourself and pursue the things you enjoy, even if that means sometimes disappointing others.
Not being trapped by conventional thinking
A forward thinker isn’t afraid to go beyond the boundaries of what’s considered conventional. They’re always looking for new possibilities, and finding ways to make their goals a reality. In a study published in the journal Studia Psychologica, researchers found that manager’s active open-minded thinking (AOP) was positively correlated to the decision-making qualities of their subordinates [4]. Their study concludes that AOP in leaders has a range of beneficial outcomes for a company, and it’s a good idea to invest some time in investigating how to promote open-minded thinking in leadership. They tend to do things their way rather than following the crowd. They push against a convention because they know there is more than one way to achieve your goal – and some of those goals can be reached faster by straying from the beaten path.
Perseverance
Leaders (in business or politics) need to be able to make tough decisions and deal with the consequences of those decisions – no matter how difficult they might be. This is what separates a leader from a manager. A manager will organize, delegate, and oversee a group of people, but a leader will also inspire, motivate, and influence their employees in order to achieve their goals. This also applies if you’re not in a leadership position – however, you will still need to learn how to persevere at work, so this behavior becomes second nature.
Regardless of whether they are working in a team, dealing with their personal issues, or just trying something new, forward-thinking people know they have to keep going until they reach their goal. They don’t give up when things become challenging because they’ve already considered every possible problem and have a well-thought-out plan of action. Even when things go wrong, they can stay calm and make it work in their favor.
Open to possibilities
Being open to possibilities means always looking for opportunities – in the business world as well as in your personal life. The forward thinker will never dismiss a possibility or opportunity that comes their way, and they know that every conversation could be the start of something new and exciting. If someone presents an idea, they will listen intently because they never know what it might lead to. While other people just want to get on with the job, forward-thinking people will spend time discussing ideas with team members because they understand that everyone can bring value to what’s being said.
Taking responsibility for one’s destiny
To move ahead in life, people need to take responsibility for their actions and decisions. this means learning from your mistakes but also seizing opportunities that present themselves. Not everyone will be comfortable with every single opportunity that comes their way, so self-awareness is an important part of figuring out how to grow as a person. It requires confidence and the ability to know what you want and where you want to go at all times – even if not everyone else can see your vision or agree with you.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Review the results of your HIGH5 assessment to understand which of the 8 traits come most naturally to you and which may require more conscious effort. For areas of strength, find opportunities to lean into them wholeheartedly. For growth areas, explore ways to develop complementary strengths that can help you embody a more comprehensive forward-thinking approach.
Forward-thinking FAQ
What does it mean to be forward-thinking?
Forward-thinking individuals are focused on their long-term goals and care deeply about the future. They tend to be progressive and often think innovatively or ahead of their time. For instance, you could realize that customers need a product before anyone else does ecognizing a demand before a product is commonplace is one of the greatest abilities of forward thinkers. Many industry visionaries like Steve Jobs and civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King are great examples of what it means to be forward-thinking.
What do you call someone who is forward-thinking?
Prospective thinking is a term more often used in psychology and means the same as forward-thinking. Someone who is forward-thinking can also be referred to as a strategic thinker, visionary, or innovative thinker.
Is it reasonable to be a forward thinker?
Being a forward thinker can bring many benefits in both personal and professional life. It allows one to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to changing circumstances, making them more resilient. Additionally, it can open up new opportunities and help achieve long-term goals.
What does it mean to be a forward thinker?
Being a forward thinker means being able to envision potential outcomes in the future and make decisions based on that foresight. It involves being proactive rather than reactive and actively seeking out new ideas and approaches to problem-solving.
How do you train forward thinking?
Forward-thinking can be trained through deliberate practice and intentional efforts. Some ways to develop this skill include constantly seeking new information, staying curious, challenging assumptions, and embracing change.
References:
- Crystal D. How to Hook Your Audience: The Rule of Three. Yale University Press. 2017 May 16. https://yalebooks.yale.edu/2017/05/16/how-to-hook-your-audience-the-rule-of-three/
- The Rule of Three: A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Simplicity in Decision Making, Communication, and Problem-Solving. LearnMentalModels. https://learnmentalmodels.co/models/rule-of-three-model
- Meier JD. Getting Results the Agile Way. Washington: Innovation Playhouse; 2010.
- Erceg N, Galić Z, Šiber AB. Testing the Theory of Good Thinking and Deciding in Organizational Setting: Many Benefits of Leader’s Actively Open-minded Thinking. Studia Psychologica. 023;65(3):230-245
