--- title: "The Future-Minded Leader: BetterUp Labs Winter 2022 Insights Report" description: What does it take for organizations to ready themselves for an uncertain future? New research from BetterUp reveals one key mindset that can help. image: https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/future-minded-leader.jpg --- [Download Report ](https://grow.betterup.com/resources/future-minded-leader#insights-footer) The Future- Minded Leader The Future- Minded Leader For individuals and organizations, it’s never been harder to prepare for what’s next. Our new research uncovered how one mindset can help guide the way forward. ![](https://grow.betterup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/61705266408571f068b421d3_BU_WORDMARK_WHITE_082421-p-500.png?width=167&name=61705266408571f068b421d3_BU_WORDMARK_WHITE_082421-p-500.png) Scroll   down [![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/Frame-85-2.png) ](https://grow.betterup.com/resources/future-minded-leader#) play exclusive interview ![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/Vector.png)![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/Arrow-3.png) ![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/Vector.png)![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/Arrow-3.png) ## Our only certainty is* uncertainty*. The past 2 years brought unpredictability and lack of control into the spotlight. Forecasting needs to evolve to help ready organizations for the future. [![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/netapp2.gif)![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/np_play_1940008_000000-1.svg) ](https://grow.betterup.com/resources/future-minded-leader#) People are re-evaluating the role of work in their lives and what they're looking for in an organization. November 2021 saw the highest quit rate ever. ‍*American Psychological Association - Stress and decision-making during the pandemic, Oct 2021 As a result: 49% of people say planning for their future feels impossible So, you're not alone. ![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/Union.svg) The past used to help us plan for the future. But it's no longer a reliable compass. ## Now, our *mental health* is paying the toll. 42% of Americans reported symptoms of anxiety or depression in 2020, an increase from 11% the previous year.* * Nature - Covid’s mental-health toll, Feb 2021 ## But thinking about and planning our future is incredibly important to us and *uniquely human*. ## Setting *goals* and making* plans* reduces our stress, anxiety, and depression... ### and keeps us motivated, healthy, and happy. [![](https://grow.betterup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/WarnerMedia---Future-Minded-Leaders-low.gif?width=814&name=WarnerMedia---Future-Minded-Leaders-low.gif)![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/np_play_1940008_000000-1.svg) ](https://grow.betterup.com/resources/future-minded-leader#) ## Overcoming uncertainty of today and tomorrow requires a *new mindset*. ![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/telescope.svg) # Your organization's opportunity ## The ability to *envision the future* is innate in all of us. But some of us are better at it than others. New cutting-edge research from **BetterUp** reveals that those who leverage a balance of optimism with pragmatism but also create necessary time to reflect and ready themselves for potential outcomes, tend to be more successful, hopeful, and less stressed than their peers. ## We call these individuals *Future-Minded Leaders.* And  they're your answer to uncertainty. # What is *future-minded leadership?* Future-minded leadership isn't about predicting a certain future. It **is** about preparing for multiple possible futures along with roadblocks and setbacks that may occur along the way. [![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/What-is-a-Future-Minded-Leader_-low-min.gif)![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/np_play_1940008_000000-1.svg) ](https://grow.betterup.com/resources/future-minded-leader#) ## The future minded leadership journey. ### Envisioning ### 1 Curiosity, optimism, brainstorming ### Exploring ### 2 Pragmatism, worst-case scenario, gathering diverse inputs ### Navigating ### 3 Empowered, confident, enthusiasm ### Result ### 4 Readiness within uncertainty # How do *Future-Minded Leaders* show up? ![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/Vector-2.png)![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/rubine-arrow.svg) ![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/Frame-80.jpg)![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/Frame-81.jpg)![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/yellow_shirt_slice.jpg)![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/Frame-83.jpg) ## Future-Minded Leaders are shaping a better future for themselves. #### An ability to plan makes us feel a sense of power and autonomy, which helps reduce stress and emotional turmoil. However, when we effectively tap into **future-minded leadership**, there are considerable shifts in anxiety and depression symptoms. Our latest research reveals that: ### Future-Minded Leaders have stronger mental health ### Future-Minded Leaders are more hopeful about the future ### Future-Minded Leaders can recover from setbacks and maintain productivity ### Future-Minded Leaders are more satisfied with their lives By balancing an aspirational view of our future with a realistic one, there are corresponding improvements in hope and overall satisfaction with life. ## Managers high in Future-Minded Leadership have *future-ready teams*. Future-Minded Leaders may tend to overcome challenges more readily because they’ve refined their approach to planning to prepare them for a variety of challenges. ![](https://grow.betterup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/Asset-1.png?width=559&name=Asset-1.png) 147% more time on planning in their lives 159% more time on planning in their work #### Through thousands of **BetterUp 360-degree** feedback reports, we’ve seen the benefits of skills in being a Future-Minded Leader impact not just the individual but the people they lead in profound ways: 19% Increase in team engagement 25% Increase in team agility 18% Increase in team performance [![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/zendesk.gif)![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/np_play_1940008_000000-1.svg) ](https://grow.betterup.com/resources/future-minded-leader#) ![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/Group-70.png) # 25% Increase in team agility # 19% Increase in engagement # 15% Increase in resilience ## Future-Minded Leaders avoid the “Innovator’s Bias” We’re good at judging ideas we don’t have a self-interest in, but when it comes to our own ideas, our ability to be both optimistic and realistic about their limitations and liabilities disintegrates. We call this the “Innovator’s Bias” and left unchecked, it prevents us from forecasting future consequences in a way that adaptively helps us, and it interferes with the quality of our strategic planning. ![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/team-2.jpg) #### In an experimental research study, BetterUp Labs induced the Innovator’s Bias in **462 participants** then asked the participants to rate the beneficial impact of an innovative product. ## The “Innovator’s Bias” is a tendency to see our own ideas with partiality Over several iterations of this study, “owners” consistently rated their own products as more good than bad, **exposing a favorability bias** to their own thinking. ![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/line-arrow.svg) ![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/line-arrow.svg) ### Impartial ### Biased Others’ ideas Our ideas ##### What does this mean? Passion for one innovation makes you positively biased to that innovation. ## Understanding the Innovator’s Bias can allow us to *plan more effectively* for the future. By not falling in love with our ideas and examining potential outcomes, we can be **more agile and realistic about future plans **and more ready for when they inevitably change. ![](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/prospection-reports/futureMindedLeader/images/rubine-arrow.svg) ## Access the *Future-Minded* Leader report Learn how to outsmart the Innovator's Bias, **get dozens of additional insights,** and learn how to cultivate more future-minded leadership across your entire organization in the full Winter Insights Report from **BetterUp Labs**. ![BetterUp-blk-logo](https://grow.betterup.com/hubfs/Imported%20images/BetterUp-blk-logo.png) ©2026 BetterUp, Inc. [![](https://assets.website-files.com/614a58e06db9d0aca19044c6/614e81a531eef24b4e5cba82_LinkedIn.svg) ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/betterup) [![](https://assets.website-files.com/614a58e06db9d0aca19044c6/614e81a64cb2024d3fbfc35a_Twitter.svg) ](https://twitter.com/BetterUp)