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Keynote Address: Leading From the Future through Future-Back Strategy

Keynote Address: Leading From the Future through Future-Back Strategy

In an era of rapid transformation within the addiction treatment field—marked by shifting reimbursement models, emerging technologies, and evolving patient needs—traditional "present-forward" planning is no longer enough to ensure long-term impact. Most strategic planning is an extension of today’s operating model, which often leaves leaders reactive to disruption.
Based on the award-winning book Lead from the Future, this keynote introduces future-back strategy, a systematic approach that enables executives to become "practical visionaries". Instead of planning from the present forward, leaders learn to start with a clean-sheet vision of the future 5–10 years out and work backward to determine the strategic moves required today. This session will provide NAATP executives with a practical framework to look beyond short-term pressures, identify breakthrough growth opportunities, and build an organization that is both resilient and future-proof.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify the common leadership barriers that prevent established organizations from embracing disruptive change
  • Differentiate between "Present-Forward" and "Future-Back” thinking and when each is necessary
  • Understand the basic future-back strategy process —developing a future state vision, converting that vision into a clear strategy, and programming it for execution.

Keynote Address: Leading From the Future through Future-Back Strategy ( 38:20 - End)

 

Resource Type:
NAATP Conference Presentation
Date Published:
May 7, 2026
Publisher:
Mark Johnson
Operations Topics:
Facilities Management
Staff Development
Workforce
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