Predicting the Post Pandemic Future (wsg Sheryl Connelly)

During this episode, You, Me, and Your Top Three host and CGS Advisors CEO, Gregg Garrett, speaks with Sheryl Connelly, Head of Global Trends and Futuring at Ford Motor Company. She discusses what it’s like to consider situations much like the COVID-19 pandemic way before it even occurs and how leaders should consider scenario planning as a must-have capability in the future. Of course, Sheryl speaks about her ‘Top Three’  - from her family who helps her bring empathy, to remarkable professionals from all over the world, to her breakfast club that helps her stay true to and take care of herself. And you have to hear what she has to say about simply listening to be able to think about tomorrow. About Sheryl Connelly Sheryl Connelly has served as Ford Motor Company’s futurist for more than a decade. She is responsible for identifying global trends, exploring potential implications and cascading these insights on futuring to organizations throughout the company, including design, product development and corporate strategy. She is a member of the Global Advisory Council on transportation for the World Economic Forum. Fast Company magazine named her one of the Most Creative People in Business in 2013 and 2015. Connelly has been a featured speaker at TED Global, appeared on CBS This Morning , CNBC’s Fast Money and NPR’s All Things Considered with Robert Siegel. Before working for Ford, she practiced law. In addition to a juris doctorate, Connelly holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s in business administration. When her schedule permits, she teaches design research at Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. Show Highlights Segment 1: Overview 0:55        The ‘new normal’. 2:49        Collaboration and innovation during the pandemic. (Article Link) 6:16        Sheryl Connelly – Chief Futurist at Ford Motor Company. 8:15        The path to becoming a futurist. 13:56      The role of the futurist – no one can predict the future; consider what can happen if assumptions are incorrect. 18:30      The rise of hope in times of uncertainty. Segment 2: The “Top Three” 21:25      Sheryl’s ‘Top Three’: Her Husband, Children, and Siblings – Having a diverse spectrum of perspectives to see your blind spots and biases. 25:36      Empathy is the skill most needed for effective leadership. 26:37      Sheryl’s ‘Top Three’: Network of Remarkable Provocative Thinkers – Specialist individuals who know nothing about cars. (Bill Ford TED Talk. Sheryl Connelly TED Talk.) 29:22      Examples of Remarkable Provocative Thinkers (Jaron Lanier). 36:29      Bringing unlikely connections together – the polite contrarian. 42:00      Sheryl’s ‘Top Three’: The Harlan Mom Breakfast Club – sharing life and challenges. Segment 3: Disruption & Transformation 45:00      Think through the long-term consequences of your actions. 47:26      “Things will be different, but that usually means they’ll be better.” 50:50      “The status quo exists because it works for somebody.” 52:10      Courage as a capability. Segment 4: Leadership & Wrapping Up 54:05      “When we listen to people, we tend to listen with the notion of what are we going to say next. But what if we shifted to listening with the intent to understand.” 56: 38     “You can’t have empathy without listening.” 57:08      Stay safe. Be healthy. Take care of your loved ones. 57:42      Visit FordTrends.com Additional Information Contact Sheryl Connelly: Sheryl’s LinkedIn Contact Gregg Garrett: Gregg’s LinkedIn Gregg’s Twitter Gregg’s Bio Contact CGS Advisors: Website LinkedIn Twitter

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You, Me, and Your Top Three is a podcast focused on exploring leadership in the connecting world. Specifically, the podcast invites leaders to tell stories, reflect, and discuss their views on: - disruptions in industry and society; - how they are leading transformations considering these disruptions - brave leadership to drive transformation. It is this last point where we focus most of the discussion, asking our guests to share their insights into the relationships they have with their “Top 3” closest advisors. It is our observation and experience that as the world connects, the importance of a diverse set of counselors is increasing in value. For some this may be a formal advisor who has been contracted on behalf of the company. For most this will be deep relationships in which they have been invested and nurtured. Through stories and discussion, we strive to celebrate the art of giving and receiving advice. The stories that are told are heartfelt and real. At the root we are exploring the process of knowledge building, relationship building, and perhaps most importantly, confidence building. After all, it takes a brave leader to battle the inertia that exists in industries, our organizations, and in ourselves. It is our hope that as successful leaders open up about around the subjects and the way in which they interact with their closest confidants, that our listeners will, in turn, reflect on their own “virtual board of advisors.” Over time they will then surround themselves with those who help them stretch toward greatness and lead bravely in the connecting world.