This past weekend I found myself wandering the grounds of Chatsworth House in England, rain-soaked but inspired, at a literary festival. I had never been to one before and had gone expecting conversations about books and storytelling, but what I left with was something far broader: reflections on innovation, uncertainty, and the human spirit that resonate just as much in business as they do in literature.
From debates about the huge rise of “romantasy” as a genre, to differing views on whether AI will enrich or diminish creativity, to insights from publishers who are thriving by reimagining older works with new styling, I was struck by how familiar it all felt. Different industry, same themes: change, debate, disruption, and innovation.
And just like in our organizations, there was no single narrative about the future—just a lively mix of perspectives, some optimistic, some cautious, but all human.
The parallels with work today
What I heard at the festival echoed what I see across industries:
Uncertainty is here to stay. Global affairs, shifting markets, and technological disruption mean we are navigating years, not months of instability. Expecting things to “settle” may be unrealistic. Learning to thrive in flux is the new leadership imperative.
Analytics matter. In publishing, it’s about knowing great writing, which stories resonate and how readers consume them. In business, it’s workforce planning, customer demand, return on investment, and value. Leaders who “know their numbers” in any industry or function can plan instead of react.
The human spirit drives progress. Some writers say they metaphorically bleed onto the page when they are producing their work, as leaders we rally teams, as individuals we adapt with creativity. Technology and platforms may change, but human ingenuity is the thread that ties it all together.
Diversity of thought matters. Just as authors approach storytelling in wildly different ways, organizations thrive when they draw on multiple perspectives and experiences. Difference is not friction, it’s fuel for innovation.
How we can navigate uncertainty
If the publishing world can embrace both fantasy novels and timeless classics, human creativity and emerging AI tools, then so can we in business. A few practices stand out as essential for leaders and teams alike:
Build resilience – personally and collectively. See change not as a detour but as the road itself.
Invest in agility – in team structures, processes, and mindsets. Flexibility is not a nice-to-have; it’s a survival skill.
Know your numbers – so decisions are proactive, not reactive. Data brings clarity when the world feels uncertain.
Be solution-oriented – shift focus from problems to possibilities. Ask “what now?” rather than “why us?”
Stay human – don’t lose sight of the people beside, behind, and in front of you. Wellbeing is not a distraction from performance; it is its foundation.
Setting the compass
Whether you’re hiring, leading, or simply enjoying a good book, there is something universal in the themes of uncertainty, creativity, and resilience.
For me, the festival was a reminder that the future will always be a mix of fantasy and reality, a world shaped by new technologies, new preferences, and most importantly, by people. I left with a sense of hope that even in times of great flux, we can orient ourselves towards creativity, connection, and progress.
So, with all that, I’m setting my compass towards “fantasy land.” Because in times of uncertainty, imagination is not an escape. It’s necessary and it is how we invent the future together.
