To Build Strategy, Start with the Future

Mark Johnson, cofounder of the consulting firm Innosight, says that
too many managers develop strategy while focusing on problems in
the present, and that’s especially true during a crisis. Instead,
he argues, leaders should imagine the future and work backward, so
they can build their organization for that new reality. He shares
practical steps managers can take to look beyond the typical
short-term planning horizon and help their teams grasp future
opportunities. Johnson is the coauthor of the HBR article "Leaders,
Do You Have a Clear Vision for the Post-Crisis Future?" and the
book "Lead from the Future: How to Turn Visionary Thinking into
Breakthrough Growth."