The Sixth Sense

The Sixth Sense
Editors: Kees van der Heijden, Ron Bradfield, George Burt, George Cairns, George Wright
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Edition: 2002
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 308
Size: 6 inch x 9 inch
Category: Non-Fiction

In a rapidly changing world where the pace of business evolution can leave even large corporations scrambling to adapt, The Sixth Sense offers a vital toolkit for developing organizational foresight. Edited by five renowned thought leaders—Kees van der Heijden, Ron Bradfield, George Burt, George Cairns, and George Wright—this book delves into the art and science of sensing subtle signs of change, interpreting them effectively, and acting on them before competitors or crises do.

The book introduces the concept of the “sixth sense” as a metaphor for strategic alertness—a blend of perceptiveness, scenario thinking, and proactive response that helps organizations stay ahead of the curve. Through a mix of theoretical insight and practical application, the editors argue that foresight is not just intuition but a cultivated capability involving structured analysis, imagination, and flexible planning.

Structured around frameworks derived from real-life case studies in business, economics, and management, the book guides readers through the development of strategic scenarios and the methods of integrating foresight into corporate decision-making. It covers topics such as organizational learning, interpreting weak signals, managing uncertainty, and creating a culture that supports anticipatory thinking.

This 2002 hardcover edition is both a scholarly and a practical contribution to the fields of strategic management, business innovation, and leadership development. It is an indispensable resource for managers, consultants, policy-makers, and students looking to enhance their understanding of how to think strategically about the future.

• Explores the concept of strategic foresight and organizational alertness

• Offers tools and frameworks for identifying early signs of change

• Includes real-world examples and case studies from global organizations

• Helps leaders build resilient strategies in the face of uncertainty

• Co-authored by experts in business strategy, scenario planning, and systems thinking

• Essential for corporate strategists, business students, and change leaders