We're slow, we're doomed, but we aren't going to do anything about it!

It’s an interesting time for many organizations. There is a wave of business model disruption, new competition, fast paced change, a massive transition in skills and knowledge — not to mention the impact of a massive wave of technology.
That’s often the context for the keynotes that I do;  many times over the last 15 years, I’ve been invited in to challenge a global leadership team to how to deal with a fast paced future. Innovation is a key theme, and my job is the wake people up to the trends that will change their industry, careers, and opportunities.
I’ll always work several text message polls into my talks (through PollEverywhere.com) to gauge the mindset of those in the room.
And in the last 18 months, I’ve woven into most of my talks, three key questions:

• do you believe you are capable of dealing with a fast future?
• do you think your business model will survive the next ten years?
• are you prepared to innovate now, to deal with this reality?

I’ve come to this conclusion. Every single audience group has answered “No.” “No”. “No.”
In other words: we’re not ready for a lot of change; we know this change will likely have a devastating impact; but we’re just going to wait a while before we do anything about it!
The thinking, to me, is truly mind-boggling.
Case in point: here’s a recent poll with one recent global leadership meeting that I was asked to open.
The first question: are you ready to deal with a fast future?

Well, not really
Next question: do you think your business model will survive?
Definitely not.

Last question: What are you going to do about it?

Um, we will just wait it out.
I’ve tried this scenario with multiple groups through the last 18 months, and there is a deadly commonality to it.
It’s kind of scary, because it implies to me that a lot of organizations, associations, professions and industries are sleep walking into the future.
We live in fascinating times!