Welcome to the July issue of The Exponential Executive.

In this Issue

	Think About the Future Today
	A Powerful Lesson in Unlearning
	How to Conduct an "Unterview"

In Other News

The future is here! Whether you're interested in the future of energy, automobiles, video gaming , reading, clothing, organ donation, insurance or even association meetings, I invite you to click on the associated link for a peek into the future.

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Think About the Future Today

On June 8, 2009, General Motors and Citigroup were dropped as components of the Dow Jones Index. In and of itself this news has no great relevance, but it does highlight how fast today’s economy continues to change. As I mentioned recently, many people think that "tomorrow will be pretty much like yesterday.”  As I suggested last month in this article, this simply isn’t true.

One strategy I have advocated for thinking about the future is to "develop a future bias.” As a thought exercise and to help you “jump the curve,” I’d like to suggest a second exercise: review the members of the current Dow 30 and imagine which company will be the next to be removed from the list and explain why it might go. (For extra credit, I invite you to imagine which company might replace it.) The purpose of this exercise is to force you out of your comfort zone and come face-to-face with the reality that “the only constant is change.” (To see my predictions about how Alcoa, Caterpillar, AT&T and Pfizer might eventually be replaced, I invite you to read on.)

A Powerful Lesson in Unlearning

Perhaps it is because I attended a private boarding school that this scene from the Dead Poet's Society appeals to me but I'd encourage anyone interested in the concept of unlearning to take four minutes and watch it. The "unlearner," as Robin Williams' character so eloquently says, "Must constantly look at things in a different way;" "Strive to find his (or her) own voice;" and "Dare to strike out and find new ground."

As the second scene so aptly demonstrates unlearning isn't easy -- and it is isn't for everyone (notice the boys who timidly stay seated in their chairs) -- but for those people with the courage to "constantly look at things in a different way" unlearning is an essential skill if you hope to become an "Exponential Executive" and engage the future on your own terms.

How to Conduct an "Unterview"

Face-to-face interviews are not nearly as effective as most people like to believe -- as I explained in this recent post on "unlearning the interview ." Nevertheless, if you are bound and determined to conduct one, I recommend turning the interview process on its head and conducting what I call an "unterview." It will be helpful in identifying candidates who are truly creative problem-solvers and "outside-the-box" thinkers. You can find a few starter questions by reading the full article.