In our fourth podcast episode, we wet on an exploration for tools, but good tools. We peered into the topic of uncertainty through the lense of discovery, research and intelligence by interviewing expert contributing author Oshawn Jefferson, contributing writer of the Disovery chapter of our book Uncertainty - Making Sense of the World for Better, Bolder Outcomes (the book). 

Oshawn provides a polymathic understanding of so many disciplines, given his work in the US Air Force, as a teacher and trainer, as a leadership and strategy consultant, and as a diversity & inclusion champion. He provides an amazing article "To Think, Act, and Grow just A.I.M." when it comes to uncertainty, that provides a well-reasoned approach to considering perspectives from all sides and angles, from all sides.

We discussed using the current polarized world, generational differences (and music) and the essential questions to ask yourself before arriving to a frame, conclusion or action. AIM is and incredibly helpful tool for getting rid of this very human thing called bias if you are open to it. We mused about the discovery chapter, the overall Cygnus Publishing effort, our shared learnings and the rewards of producing the book for our generation of massively uncertain times.

Hosted By: Sean Moffitt, Cygnus Ventures Managing Director and Founder, Futureproofing

Oshawn's Bio: Oshawn Jefferson, RBLP-T, DEIA Workplace, is a cultural change catalyst, influencer, thought leader, catalyzer of concepts and author. He is a provocateur not afraid to have the difficult conversations and known for devising and implementing strategies that integrate cultural diversity, inclusion, and equity, unlock intellectual curiosity, competitive intelligence and creativity into individuals, teams, and organizations.

He is the founder of Deal Solutions Group, LLC, a professional coaching, executive leadership, and communication strategy solutions at the intersection of academia, industry, and the future of work. He has engaged more than 11,000 students and executive leaders as a consultant, Air War College, and Defense Information School Instructor. The Air Force Veteran co-authored "Enhancing the Global Mindset in Military Public Affairs" for the book Intercultural Public Relations Realities and Reflections in Practical Contexts released in 2022. 

Website:  https://www.greyswanguild.org/cygnuspublishing

Podcast: https://www.greyswanguild.org/uncertaintypodcast

In our third podcast episode, we went much deeper into the corpus of our book, especially the middle chapter of our book and topic of uncertainty by interviewing expert contributing author Jonathan Knowles, co-author of the Strategy chapter of our book Uncertainty - Making Sense of the World for Better, Bolder Outcomes (the book). 

Jonathan provides an immense depth of field and knowledge across strategy, purpose, brand and valuation. He provides a catbird's seat to the corporate view and high stakes when it comes to uncertainty, having played the roles of head of consulting, CMO, economist, brand finance and entrepreneur in his previous lives.

We discussed using strategy as a sail, not a rail and that strategy in uncertain times, requires imagination, not just cold calculating analysis. We mused about the unique co-authoring collaboration of the Strategy chapter, the overall Cygnus Publishing effort, our shared learnings and the rewards of producing the book for our generation of massively uncertain times.

Hosted By: Sean Moffitt, Cygnus Ventures Managing Director and Founder, Futureproofing

Jonathan's Bio: is the founder of Type 2 Consulting, a firm that provides C-level advice on how to align the value creation and value capture priorities of business to generate sustainable strategies. He has (co-)authored articles in the Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review, Wall Street Journal, Intellectual Asset Management, Professional Investor and Marketing Management magazines. Jonathan’s career spans finance (Bank of England), strategy consulting (Marakon Associates) and brand consulting (Wolff Olins, BrandEconomics). He has an MBA from INSEAD.

Website:  https://www.greyswanguild.org/cygnuspublishing

Podcast: https://www.greyswanguild.org/uncertaintypodcast

In our second podcast episode, we dove into our Scanning chapter by interviewing Dr. Daviod Kalisz, PhD, expert contributor to the Scanning chapter of Uncertainty - Making Sense of the World for Better, Bolder Outcomes. 

We discussed David's perspective on Uncertainty and discussed his contribution in detail Beyond Scenarios. The limits of uncertainty and vectors of imagination of a blurred world.

David's lense on uncertainty is that when we think about the future, it is always associated with a certain fascination, aspirations, and an idyllic perspective. But nothing gets old as quickly as the future. In times of prosperity, peace, and certainty, few think about the future. As a rule, the attempt to imagine what will happen next is driven by curiosity and fear.

As humans, we have never had the ability to know the future, but throughout the millennia of our existence, we have not stopped imagining it. Unfortunately, we are often accompanied by a narrow spectrum, a peripheral vision based on myopia, illusion, and sliding on the surface of phenomena we do not understand.

It is becoming increasingly important to look not within our own realm, but to the periphery, beyond the horizon of our experience, beyond the horizon of our industry... Beyond what is possible. If people in prehistory that lived in caves had only done what seemed possible, they would still be living in caves today.

We not only mused about David's great strength and interplay futures, foresight and uncertainty, we also mused about the overall world, our Cygnus Publishing effort, our learnings in writing it and the rewards of producing the book for our generation of massively uncertain times.

Hosted By: Sean Moffitt, Cygnus Ventures CEO and Founder, Futureproofing

David's Bio: Dr. David Kalisz is the Dean of Expert Programs / Associate Professor, Paris School of Business.

Doctor of economics in the discipline of management sciences. Dean of Expert Programs (BBA, MSc, MBA) and Associate Professor at Paris School of Business (France). Currently in the Advanced Executive Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Expert in Futures Studies, Strategic Foresight and Scenario Planning. Certified Foresight Practitioner (IFTF), member of the Association of Professional Futurists and International Institute of Forecasters. He teaches Megatrends and Understanding Future, and also courses designed to more profoundly test and explore the long-term impact on industries and society. 

Website:  https://www.greyswanguild.org/cygnuspublishing
Podcast: https://www.greyswanguild.org/uncertaintypodcast