Introduction
When planning for the future, it’s tempting to jump straight to action: budgets, tools, and practical steps. But history shows that even the most well-executed plans can fail if they ignore deeper human and philosophical dimensions. Strategic foresight requires a holistic approach, one that balances what we want, how we feel and behave, and what we can realistically do.
These three lenses of Futures Thinking help leaders avoid blind spots, design resilient futures, and align intention, motivation, and execution. Each lens illuminates a different aspect of the future.
Philosophy - the ‘Why?’ of the future
We all want a ‘better’ future but we are often not able to articulate what that looks like. The philosophical conversation ensures that the future we aim for isn’t only possible and desirable but also meaningful. Without this philosophical clarity, even successful plans may lead to outcomes that are empty, harmful, or misaligned with long-term vision.
We can ask
- What do we want to achieve?
- What should we avoid?
- What ethical or inclusive principles guide us?
Psychology - the ‘How?” of the future
Even good, desired plans will fail if the main proponents are paralysed with anxiety or uncertainty, and a VUCA future implies just that. Change management is an essential stage in futures design and that means helping the whole team to cope with, embrace and explore change. Even practical plans fail if people are overwhelmed, disengaged, or fearful of change.
We need to ask
- How do stakeholders respond to uncertainty?
- How do we manage anxiety, resistance, or overconfidence?
- How can we foster creativity, courage, and engagement?
Practicality - the ‘What’ and ‘When’ of execution
Practicality ensures that ideas and intentions can be turned into actionable steps. Without practical feasibility, even the best philosophical vision and motivated team will be stalled by reality.
We can ask:
- What resources, skills, and processes exist?
- What tools or frameworks can guide implementation?
- What constraints or risks must be managed?
Problems
If we only use 2 of these 3 lenses, we will create plans that are Impossible (because we don’t have the practical steps), Implausible (because while it is seems great, we can’t see ourselves doing that) or Irrelevant (a well executed and embraced plan that leads to a dead end).
Impossible Futures (Philosophy + Psychology, missing Practicality)
Between Philosophy and Psychology we have an Impossible future. This is a vision that inspires and energises but cannot be executed because no practical path exists. For example we have a company committed to being entirely carbon-neutral tomorrow. Everyone believes in it (philosophy), the team is motivated (psychology), but no existing technology or process allows it.
Implausible Futures (Philosophy + Practicality, missing Psychology)
Between Philosophy and Practicality we have an Implausible future – a plan that theoretically works but feels unachievable because stakeholders don’t believe they can enact it. An example is a school that redesigns its curriculum using cutting-edge AI and personalised learning. Philosophically it’s brilliant, and practically tools exist—but teachers and students feel overwhelmed or incapable, so adoption fails.
Irrelevant Futures (Psychology + Practicality, missing Philosophy)
Between Psychology and Practically we have an Irrelevant future. This is a plan that can be executed and is embraced but doesn’t actually lead toward a meaningful or desired future. A school system streamlines its standardized testing. Teachers support it (psychology), and it’s easy to implement with digital tools (practicality). But if the deeper philosophical purpose of education is to foster critical thinking, curiosity, and lifelong learning, then this focus on testing becomes irrelevant to the desired future of education.
Solution - Ideal Futures
(Philosophy + Psychology + Practicality)
Only when we see through all 3 lenses do we see a potential Ideal future.
Here we have a plan that is desirable, executable, and embraced leading to a future that is meaningful, achievable, and actionable. We can roll out a sustainable energy initiative that is ethically aligned (philosophy), motivates and involves employees (psychology), and is technically feasible with clear implementation steps (practicality).
Origin of the model
Charlotte Kemp, Futures Alchemist, 2023
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