MITCH ILBURY
Scenario strategist and published author.
Mitch Ilbury is a strategist and bestselling author, and director of the leadership development firm Mindofafox.
He is currently working with Dubai’s leaders to position it as one of the top three cities in the world.
Mitch co-authored a bestselling book with Clem Sunter, titled Thinking the Future: New Perspectives from the Shoulders of Giants, published by Penguin Random House in July 2021.
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He has also contributed articles to the leading journal, Defence Strategic Communications, which is partnered with NATO.
He read philosophy and politics at the University of Cape Town, and holds a master’s in intelligence and international security from King’s College London.
LATEST TALK
Every decision we make relates to the future in some way. But how effective are we at thinking about the future?
In trying to understand what the future holds, we look to flashy trend analyses or bold predictive forecasts, but such methods often miss those big strategy-invalidating tipping points that shape our world, and provide little in the way of building an ongoing capacity to think the future more effectively day in, day out. Put simply, we outsource the task of thinking the future; in turn, we become reliant on the flawed forecasts of others while we have to own the decisions we make.
No more.
Drawing on insights generated at the coal-face of strategic decision-making with boards and executive teams, as well as from a globally unique provenance of legendary scenario planners, from Herman Kahn to Pierre Wack to Clem Sunter and Chantell Ilbury, Mitch Ilbury will empower you to think the future for yourself.
His latest talk distills profound lessons from his book co-authored with Clem Sunter, Thinking the Future: New Perspectives from the Shoulders of Giants. Building off seminal concepts though up by some of history’s greatest thinkers, Mitch highlights the do’s and don’ts when thinking the future, and helps create awareness of the common cognitive traps that trip up even the most astute leaders.