Behind The Scenes: Outthinkers Podcast #125

Frederik Pferdt: Cultivating a Future-Ready Mindset

Frederik Pferdt is Google's first Chief Innovation Evangelist and author of "WHAT'S NEXT IS NOW: How To Live Future Ready.” 

During his time at Google, Frederik played a pivotal role in shaping one of the world's most renowned creative cultures. He founded Google's Innovation Lab, where he trained tens of thousands of Googlers to develop and experiment with cutting-edge ideas. For over a decade, he also taught groundbreaking classes on innovation and creativity at Stanford University. 

Something that shines through Frederik’s work is his eternal optimism and emphasis on an active creation of the future, rather than passive prediction. This perspective challenges us to think differently about innovation and our role in shaping the future. 

In this episode, Frederik shares: 

• How the future isn't something that merely happens to us, but something we have the power to actively create – a viewpoint that empowers organizations to see themselves as agents of change 

• The six dimensions of a future-ready mindstate, which together form a way of looking at the world that reveals potential all around you 

• Powerful—yet often underrated—psychological techniques that leverage positivity, gratitude, and optimism to enhance team dynamics, boost morale, and create a more innovative, engaged environment