The Future Is Participatory, Not Predetermined
Feb 04, 2026One of the most grounding ideas in our conversation with Tom Lombardo is also one of the most demanding: the future is participatory.
This runs counter to how many people talk about the future. We often describe it as something that “arrives,” something shaped by technology, politics, or forces beyond our control. Tom challenges that framing. While uncertainty is real, passivity is a choice.
From his perspective, the future is an ongoing act of creation—shaped by countless decisions, large and small. Whether we acknowledge that responsibility or not, we are already participating.
Wisdom plays a central role here. Tom defines wisdom not as abstract knowledge, but as future-directed action. Wisdom involves anticipating consequences, integrating values, and acting with care for both present and future stakeholders.
This matters for leaders and educators because participation requires agency. Agency means thinking for oneself, regulating emotion, and resisting the temptation to outsource responsibility to systems, leaders, or algorithms. It’s easier to complain about the future than to help shape it.
Tom is clear-eyed about the difficulty. Humans often resist responsibility because it requires effort and self-reflection. We prefer quick fixes over sustained growth. But avoiding agency doesn’t protect us—it weakens us.
In education, this reframes engagement. Learners don’t become engaged simply by consuming information. They engage when invited to wrestle with meaningful questions and contribute to real outcomes. The same is true in leadership.
The future is not something to predict perfectly.
It is something to steward thoughtfully.
Reflection Question:
Where in your life or work are you participating in the future—intentionally or not?
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