Shaping the Future of Health: Insights from Trend Research

The future of health is a topic of increasing importance, raising questions about how to recognize emerging trends and actively shape what lies ahead. Harry Gatterer, the managing director of the Zukunftsinstitut in Frankfurt, offers insights into these challenges and the mental barriers that can hinder innovation.

Gatterer points out that the term 'future' often carries a negative connotation, primarily associated with challenges and problems to be tackled. This perspective can stifle creativity and innovation, as people tend to view the future as a destination where action is required rather than a concept that can be envisioned and constructed from the present.

He emphasizes that the future is not something that approaches us; rather, it is something that exists within us. To harness this power, individuals must step outside their comfort zones and engage with new ideas.

One of the primary obstacles to this engagement is the tendency of people to operate within established patterns of thinking. The complexities of the world can often feel overwhelming, leading to a sense of helplessness. However, Gatterer asserts that the future is created from the visions we cultivate today. It is essential to leverage present resources and capabilities to construct future possibilities.

To effectively navigate this process, Gatterer outlines four key dimensions:

1. Readiness: This refers to the individual capacity to manage the future as a daily task.
2. Information Selection: To identify trends, one must adopt a multifaceted approach to data collection, looking beyond narrow fields of reference.
3. Corporate Readiness: Organizations aiming to shape their futures must be adaptable. This includes developing a comprehensive understanding of their current status and defining relevant areas for action. Clarity of identity--understanding who they are and where they want to go--is also critical.
4. Future Implementation: Concrete measures must be planned and operationalized to bring future concepts to life.

Gatterer concludes by reminding attendees that we cannot foresee the future beyond the present. It is vital to learn how to navigate within these four dimensions to actively participate in shaping what is to come.