Page 7 - Thinking_the_Unthinkable_Article_for_IBS

1. Vigilant leadership that encourages a broad focus on the
periphery
Figure 9 2. An inquisitive approach to strategy development
3. Flexible and inquisitive culture that rewards exploring the
edge
4. Knowledge systems for detecting and sharing weak signals
5. An organizational configuration and processes that
encourage the exploration of periphery

Strategic Eye Test categorizes an organization into either of the
19
four quadrants
1. The focused company, with a narrow vision in a relatively
stable environment is like a race horse with blinders galloping
on a clear, smooth track
2. The vigilant organization, with highly developed peripheral
vision to deal with more chaotic environments, has peripheral
vision that is well matched to its environment
3. A neurotic organization has more peripheral vision than is
needed and therefore may suffer from sensory overload
4. Vulnerable organizations are those, which has less peripheral
vision than it needs to meet future demands. They tend to be
myopic, concentrating on the business close at hand when many
factors in the periphery could actually change their business
model or industry

After the
assessment, L&D team
at ACC Concrete
concluded that the
organization fell under
the “Vigilant” category
(Figure 9). However, we
also realized that it was
important – for the
future health of the
organization – that all
the concerned
Managers and
functional heads be
appraised of the
importance of
Peripheral Vision and
help them build their
competency in
detecting and
evaluating “Weak
Signals” in their
business environment.
L&D convinced the
senior most leadership
that a 3 – day learning
workshop for all
stakeholders, will
enable the organization
to maintain its presence
in the Vigilant
quadrant. The aim of
the workshop was
fourfold

Table 3: Alternative prototypes for delineating learning workshops for Developing Foresight

19 Ibid