FLUX within change and uncertainty is what we need to address the future

How to deal with constant change and current uncertainty? We interviewed April Rinne, an expert at the Future Trends Forum, who, with more than 25 years of experience in more than 100 countries, has developed a keen vision of where the future is going. world. 

From her perspective as a thought leader and senior global adviser to governments and large corporations, April makes sense of the changes in an ever-changing world. 

On the occasion of the publication in Spanish of her latest book, Flux: 8 superpowers to flow and succeed in the face of constant change, we have interviewed April to find out what it means to have a “FLUX mentality”, the key to approaching the future. 

Flexibility and resilience have always been qualities of effective leadership and a fulfilling life, but they may not be enough. The goal, April tells us, is how to find calm and meaning in the midst of chaos. You’re about to find out what this expert suggests: 

Your book FLUX, published a few days ago in Spanish, proposes a new way of approaching life, both personally and professionally. What are the realities on which the FLUX philosophy is based? What is the FLUX philosophy? Is it a philosophy of life?

The main reality is that constant change and “certain uncertainty” are here to stay, yet many (if not most) humans are not ready for what that means. This is not an issue of the past 2 years or Covid, but rather the longer arc of human history -both looking back and looking forward-. 

The essence of FLUX can be summarized by what I call a Flux Mindset: The ability to see all change -whether big or small, expected or unexpected, exciting or frustrating- as an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. This fundamentally shapes how you show up: at work, at home, and in the world. Today, tomorrow, and every day forward. So yes, in this way it is a philosophy of life. 

Do you see FLUX as a practical tool that gathers and enriches deep knowledge of Humanity for today’s world?    

Definitely! At the center of FLUX is a commitment to our shared humanity. One thing I have learned and observed countless times is that the best way (and often the only way) humans navigate change well is together. When things are uncertain or you don’t know what to do, that’s when the presence, support, and care of others can be most helpful. So much of our ability to thrive comes down to trusted human relationships. 

In addition, FLUX seeks to celebrate cultural diversity and learn from one another. Every culture on the planet has developed unique ways of seeing change, talking about change, and navigating life’s unknowns. There is so much we can learn from each other! 

Today there is a lot of talk about lateral leadership, and of LaaS (Leadership-as-a-Service). How does FLUX apply to leadership? 

FLUX is closely related to leadership, because how we relate to change has a direct effect on how we lead (and our views on leadership, period). Among the most popular themes today is leadership through ambiguity, and how difficult that is for many traditional leaders. By and large, leaders are assumed to have certainty -to have the answers- that’s what makes them leaders, right? But the challenge is that in today’s world of flux and uncertainty no one knows. So this forces us to reassess what great leadership looks like. It turns out that great leaders must be comfortable with not knowing, not having the answer, and leading with others through the unknown. 

There is a significant overlap with lateral leadership, which is the ability to influence and lead others without formal authority. The key is understanding that uncertainty decentralizes authority. And when no one knows, everyone is responsible: for sensing, for paying attention, and for finding new solutions. It’s no longer merely about one’s title, credentials, or place on an org chart. A world in flux underscores the reality that everyone is a leader in some way and opens up new opportunities to step up and lead. 

We have recently had a #FutureTalks about the increasing presence of Artificial Intelligence in our lives. Do you see an application of the FLUX philosophy to algorithms and the way they behave?  

FLUX digs into the relationship between humans and technology, particularly as it relates to change. While technology can help us navigate some types of change -such as a traffic jam or a delayed meeting- it can’t keep change from happening, nor can it ultimately make us happy or calm about uncertainty. These things must come from within.  

In my research, I’ve become increasingly concerned about the propensity of many humans to believe that technology can keep change at bay -that if an algorithm is programmed just right, we can escape from uncertainty-. In fact, the opposite is true: We are deluding ourselves from the reality of life. The more reliant we become on technology, the more we run this risk -and miss out on living life fully-. 

A FLUX tip for a professional with years of career, who sees how his or her job is faltering. 

Rather than see your job as faltering, what if you asked yourself, “What if I reframed my professional identity and metrics of success?” Faltering – or not knowing what to do, or feeling frustrated about work – all of these things are signals: They help nudge us closer to our full potential.  

Many people have been taught that their career is predetermined: study, work, climb the corporate ladder, retire. And yet, this is merely (what I call) a script: A story, a narrative, an explanation that society has come up with. But this is not set in stone – and as with everything, it changes. This is a great opportunity to consider: What is the script you wish to write for your life? 

One of my favorite quotes is by the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu: “When I let go of what I am, I become what I may be.”  

A FLUX tip for a student in the last years of his or her studies, with an inquiring mind, like our Akademia students. 

Think of your career and professional development not as a singular “career path” to pursue, but rather as a “career portfolio” to create and curate, just as an artist or an investor would. Career portfolios are far more fit for a future of work in flux! 

A FLUX tip for a person who is thinking of becoming an entrepreneur. 

Entrepreneurship is ALL about change. In many ways entrepreneurship demands a Flux Mindset. 🙂 So if you struggle with different kinds of change, or a fast pace of change, or want things to work out “just right,” then you can expect great growth in your entrepreneurial venture… it will probably force you to overcome these things. 

If you want to learn more about April’s work, you can read her latest book, FLUX, and visit her website, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.