Rethinking Strategy - Building Foresight - Shaping the Future with Dr Matt Finch

We'd love to hear from you so send us a message! What if strategy wasn't about predicting or controlling the future, but about helping organisations make better decisions in the face of uncertainty? In this episode of the OrgDev Podcast, we're joined by Dr Matt Finch for a fascinating conversation about rethinking strategy, building foresight and navigating an increasingly uncertain world. We explore why strategy needs to be a living process rather than a document produced every few years, how scenario planning can help us challenge our assumptions, and why thinking about the future shouldn't be reserved for specialists. Matt shares some wonderful metaphors, including an island of relationships surrounded by a sea of uncertainty, and the OD practitioner as a midwife rather than a parent. We also explore the emotions, identities and hidden dynamics that influence strategic decisions, the importance of knowing where to intervene, and how to recognise opportunities when things don't go to plan. Along the way, we discuss what it takes to work with discomfort, develop the judgement to improvise and help organisations build their own capacity to navigate uncertainty. About our guest Dr Matt Finch is a strategy and foresight practitioner working with organisations, governments and communities around the world. He is an Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, where he teaches scenario planning, and brings experience spanning strategy, negotiation and facilitation across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Explore Matt's work and resources Since recording our conversation, Matt has published The Galway Questions, a practical, accessible approach to strategic foresight developed through his work at the University of Galway. It offers 16 questions to help individuals and organisations challenge their assumptions, explore possible futures and make more thoughtful decisions today. Read The Galway Questions (free PDF): https://www.universityofgalway.ie/media/collegeofartssocialsciencescelticstudies/schools/geographyarchaeology/geography/Dr.-Matt-Finch---The-Galway-Questions.pdf Read more about the thinking behind them: https://mechanicaldolphin.com/2026/09/24/launch-of-the-galway-questions/ Explore Matt's website and other work: https://mechanicaldolphin.com Wish you had a handy recap of the episode? So did we. That’s why each week in our Next Step to Better newsletter, we’re sharing From Pod to Practice – a 2-page visual summary of each episode designed to help you take the learning from the podcast and into your work. You’ll get:  ■ Key insights from the episode  ■ A reflection prompt  ■ A suggested action Sign up now to get From Pod to Practice delivered to your inbox each week: https://distinction.live/keep-in-touch/ About Us We’re Dani and Garin – Organisation Development (OD) practitioners who help leaders and people professionals tackle the messiness of organisational life. We focus on building leadership capability, strengthening team effectiveness, and designing practical, systemic development programmes that help you deliver on your team and organisational goals. We also offer coaching to support individual growth and change. Find out more at www.distinction.live  We'd love to connect with you on Linked In: linkedin.com/in/danibacon478 https://www.linkedin.com/in/garinrouch