Parents who truly care don’t ask their kids what they need for the next year—they anticipate and provide. Similarly, companies like Apple and Google don’t rely on surveys to determine what we need from them; they lead with innovation and foresight. Insurance companies and banks operate no differently. Even a capable federal government doesn’t consult citizens on where to allocate resources—they make informed decisions based on the greater good.
If we ask consumers what they want, they’ll often demand more, cheaper, and faster. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to assess and deeply understand the needs of our people. Local governments, for instance, often aim to please elected members. However, they have the power to gather data, allocate budgets, analyse planning elements (like population and demographics), and craft strategies that incorporate input from key stakeholders.
As executives, our role is to present facts, anticipate future trends and demands, and develop strategies rooted in data and informed foresight.
