Build the FORWARD THINKING Mind and Workplace of the Future
Discover powerful new strategies and insights for FORWARD THINKING leaders building the workplace of the future ⏤ today.
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From the author.
Leading new conversations that build the FORWARD THINKING mind and workplace of the future — today.
Author and Founder at Forward Thinking Workplaces
In 2016, I started a new conversation with pioneering global leaders, challenging them with intriguing and surprising new questions.
I asked leaders to share their best insights and wisdom to create a better workplace and world. To date, over 75 pioneering business and thought leaders have enthusiastically embraced the questions and mission.
The Future of the Workplace contains a collection of 30 out of 75 of those conversations. Every conversation deserved to be in this book. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to include them all.
I wrote this book to help guide and inspire anyone who feels and believes that we can and must create workplaces where every voice matters, everyone thrives and finds meaning, and change and innovation happen naturally.
Furthermore, after reading this book, you’ll realize that there’s enormous power and wisdom in convening new conversations where we ask each other new questions and welcome all points of view.
One of the ways of thinking about leadership is thinking about convening conversations that might not happen otherwise. The consequences will ripple out beyond what you will ever know.
Patricia Shaw
Fellow, Schumacher CollegeIn the book’s Introduction, I address why I believe it’s vital for us to have this new conversation now.
Not only with leaders but with everyone in the workplace. John Bell, CEO (Retired) at Jacobs Suchard, had this to say:
“Your questions are more important than our answers? Why? Because every leader ought to be asking him/herself those questions and implementing the forward thinking insights that will create meaningful purpose and superior performance.”
I also share why I ask the same six opening questions and why I believe they are essential.
If you haven’t read the book, the Introduction is now posted online here:
The Future of the Workplace will help you discover new pathways to rise above today’s unprecedented challenges.
To your forward thinking life & success!
Bill Fox
Founder, Forward Thinking Workplaces and Forward Thinking Pro
Learn more about me at billfox.co. Let’s connect on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Where to buy.
The Future of the Workplace is available from major and independent book sellers.
Reviews from our readers.
Check out some of the reviews from readers and leaders below and on Amazon.
Hi Bill, I’m just reading your book. Stopped at 62 pages with 20 post-its full of notes. Great work, thank you for it.
Martyna Tarnawska
Service Design LeadAfter reading a handful of your interviews, I can hardly wait to read the rest. You are so good at drawing new awareness through people, Bill Fox.
Sue Elliott
CEO, Easier Way Media, Inc.So much leadership and cultural value all in one book.
John Bell
CEO, Jacobs Suchard (Retired)Congratulations!! on a brilliant book that I know has come from real-life experiences of experts in the workplace — enhanced by your unique ability to synthesize, distinguish, and expand on as practical wisdom. What an important work this is — as the Future is literally here now.
Dianne Collins
Author, Do You Quantum Think?Bill Fox has curated a robust trove of insights and thought leadership aimed at future-proofing your organization. I’m honored to have been included in his book, “The Future of the Workplace”. If preparing for the future interests you, Bill is assembling a community of leaders to explore what it takes.
Gwen Kinsey
Transformational LeaderThank you for pushing the critical thinking and the practical actions that lead to human-centered workplaces that inspire all of us to be in the constant pursuit of finding better ways!
Jim Haudan
Chairman, Root, Inc.Bill Fox has a gift for identifying, connecting with, and helping the rest of us understand the leaders of tomorrow, today. The wisdom of Bill Fox is the incredible ability to help others define their own wisdom.
Marc Hanlan
LLMC Partners, AuthorBill Fox in his book The Future of the Workplace: Insights and Advice from 31 Pioneering Business and Thought Leaders is an inquisitive investigator of how a positive work environment can be created and how leaders can contribute to creating an ideal workplace. His set of questions opens a space of discussions, which encourages reflection and further exploration of human thinking and doings. Read the full review at Bill Fox: The Future of the Workplace.
Iuliana Ancuţa Ilie
Pforzheim UniversityI am indebted to you for sharing your crystallized thoughts and the process behind them – it is brilliantly useful and relevant, even urgent. While folks like me continue to be appalled by the wastage of the human spirit, especially in the working world, you have figured a way to originate knowledge and inspire answers, action to address this. Kudos!
Sharath Jarugumilli
Analytics and Product Management LeaderChapters and chapter previews.
The book includes 30 forward thinking conversations with 31 pioneering business and thought leaders.
Foreward – The Foreward to my book was authored by Norman Bodek. Sadly, Norman passed away in late 2020. He was an extraordinary leader. Please read my tribute, Extraordinary People.
Norman Bodek
Owner, PCS PressIntroduction – The future is already here, and it’s unexpectedly and suddenly different than we’d planned or imagined—even just yesterday.
Bill Fox
Founder, Forward Thinking WorkplacesHoward Behar
Former President, StarbucksChapter 2 – How Do We Create That Environment That Uses Natural System Wisdom?
Gwen Kinsey
Transformation LeaderChapter 3 – Voices Will Matter, People Will Thrive, and Innovation Will Become Ingrained in the Culture if…
John Bell
CEO (Retired), Jacobs SuchardChapter 4 – Discover the Spirit of Self-Reliance
Norman Bodek
Owner, PCS PressChapter 5 – How to Stop Following the Herd and Break Out of the Mundane
Lance Secretan
CEO, The Secretan CenterChapter 6 – How to Create the Right Conditions for Stunning Conversations
Sarah Rozenthuler
Founder, Bridgework Consulting Ltd.Chapter 7 – Making Every Voice Matter
Jeff Dalton
CEO, Broadsword Solutions CorporationChapter 8 – How to More Effectively and Authentically Respond
Alan Seale
Entrepreneur, AuthorChapter 9 – Why Are So Many Unwilling to Say What They Think, Feel, and Act On?
Jim Haudan
Chairman and Cofounder, Root Inc.Chapter 10 – How to Get 80/20 to Work for You
Perry Marshall
Entrepreneur and ConsultantChapter 11 – It’s Not About Working Harder, or Even Smarter
Michael Neil
Transformative Coach, AuthorChapter 12 – Why Aren’t 21st-Century Employees Thriving?
Sesil Pir
Organizational Psychologist, HR ExpertChapter 13 – Give People More Control
David Marquet
Author, Leadership ExpertChapter 14 – Insights from Leading a Lean Healthcare Revolution
John Toussaint
Lean Healthcare LeaderChapter 15 – Shifting the Center of Gravity
Hrund Gunnsteinsdottir
Managing Director and Film DirectorChapter 16 – What If Corporate Culture Is Perfect, But I’m Not?
Robert Fuchs
Culture ArchitectChapter 17 – Do You See the True Paradigm or Not?
Sandra Krot
Human Dimension Consultant, AuthorChapter 18 – The Surprising Secret of Magic in Business
Andrew Bennett
Leadership Coach and Professional MagicianDicken Bettinger
Founder, Three Principles MentoringChapter 20 – How to Be a Powerful Agent in the World
Dianne Collins
Author, Do You QuantumThink?Chapter 21 – How to Be Intentional to Design an Authentic Life and Better World
Brian Gardner
Minimalist Designer, EntrepreneurChapter 22 – How Do We Start and Make It Real?
Tom Thomison
Partner, encode.orgChapter 23 – Exploring Forward Thinking Workplaces with Bob Schatz
Bob Schatz
Agile and Transformation LeaderChapter 24 – Compassionate Communication Is the Key to Everything
Steph Holloway
Body Language & Communication ExpertChapter 25 – How to Incorporate Purpose and Values to Build a Thriving Community
Nick Hughes
Founder, Founders LiveChapter 26 – How to Elevate Yourself, Your Conversations, and Your Future
Aviv Shahar
Founder, Aviv ConsultingChapter 27 – How to Lead More Holistically by Learning the Secrets of the Aspens
Jon Mertz
CEO, Activate WorldChapter 28 – Space to Speak Honestly Gives Us Power
Andy Yen
CEO, Proton TechnologiesChapter 29 – How to Get Beyond the Way Most of Us Are Working Today
Sue Elliott
Personal and Organizational Transformation LeaderChapter 29 – How to Get Beyond the Way Most of Us Are Working Today
John Ryskowski
Personal and Organizational Transformation LeaderChapter 30 – Human-Centered Leadership Empowers People to Scale Mountains
Marcel Schwantes
Human-Centered LeadershipThis conversation invites and allows whole beings to show up; like whole food, whole beings are more nutritious to the system they exist within.
— ANONYMOUS