Dynamic Foresight in HR: A Deep Dive with Dr. John Austin
Eps. #87 SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2024
Explore the intersection of foresight and change management in HR.
In this episode of HR Mixtape, host Shari Simpson sits down with Dr. John Austin, the Dean of the University of New England Honors College and a partner at Dynamic Foresight. They discuss the shift from change leadership to strategic foresight and how HR professionals can navigate uncertainty in the workplace. Dr. Austin shares insights on the importance of adaptability, resiliency, and the integration of foresight and change management in organizations.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding Uncertainty: Dr. Austin emphasizes the importance of engaging with uncertainty rather than avoiding it, as it can lead to anxiety and missed opportunities.
Building Resiliency: By preparing organizations to be future-proofed and adapting to changing circumstances, HR professionals can help build resiliency within their teams.
Foresight in HR: Dr. Austin suggests incorporating discussions of uncertainties into HR facilitations and developing customized futures for organizations to stress test strategies effectively.
Guest(s): Dr. John Austin, Dean of the University of New England Honors College and a partner at Dynamic Foresight
Dr. John Austin is the Dean of the newly formed Honors College at the University of New England. He is an experienced facilitator and an award-winning teacher who has worked with practicing executives on six continents. Prior to joining the faculty at The University of New England, he was a faculty member at Fielding Graduate University, Penn State University and The University of Washington. He has worked with numerous global Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and professional associations developing leaders and leading long-term projects in the areas of change management, strategic foresight, team performance, strategic decision-making, and strategy execution.
Dr. Austin holds a BA in economics from The Johns Hopkins University and a PhD in management from Boston College. He has conducted research on team leadership, organizational change implementation, and strategic decision-making. His research on knowledge-based decision-making teams is widely cited in the academic literature, as is his work on the strategic actions of internal change agents. He is the author of Leading Effective Change: A Primer for the HR Professional published as part of the SHRM Foundation’s Effective Practice Guidelines Series and Unquestioned Brilliance: Navigating a Fundamental Leadership Trap.
