About Charlotte Kemp
This is me. I am a coach, keynote speaker, workshop facilitator and author, who partners with people to co-create new futures for their space in the world.
What is a Futurist
A futurist is someone who helps teams and organizations think critically about the future. They:
- Guide groups in exploring potential future scenarios
- Teach techniques for spotting trends and anticipating change
- Facilitate workshops to build future-thinking skills within teams
Rather than just making predictions, futurists aim to empower others with tools and mindsets to navigate uncertainty. They work collaboratively, sharing their methods so that organizations can continue to think strategically about the future long after the futurist’s engagement ends.
Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight
Futures Thinking or Strategic Foresight, is a framework for intentionally looking at the future to gain insight and make better decisions. It is not a precise science, nor is it crystal ball gazing.
It involves, broadly,
- Looking at current trends and imagining how they might develop
- Considering different possible futures, not just the most likely one
- Using these insights to plan and prepare for various outcomes
These approaches help organizations and individuals be more adaptable and resilient in the face of uncertainty. They’re about being proactive rather than reactive when it comes to the future.
What has Alchemy to do with the future?
Alchemy is an ancient, proto-science that sought to transmute lower order elements to higher order elements. As examples we are familiar with the pursuit of turning lead into gold. As an analogy for futures thinking, Alchemy offers us a story of taking the ‘lead’ of our current circumstances and turning it into a golden future.
Values and Ethics
Any good futures plan or any healthy coaching relationship is evaluated according to a set of values and ethics. Progress will not happen if there is a mismatch. The values that I honour in my work include agency, alchemy, transcendence and craftsmanship.