Stoicism, a ‘new’ philosophy for business and society
Stoicism is an ancient philosophy that has found surprising relevance for us today. At its core, Stoicism is about focusing on what you can control and letting go of what you can’t. It’s about recognizing that the way you see and respond to things changes their meaning. This simple but profound shift in mindset has a lot in common with design thinking and the way we approach modern leadership and skill-building.
In Stoicism, the focus is on personal responsibility, resilience, and clarity. You don’t waste time or energy being upset about things outside your control; what nature does, what other people do, or how circumstances unfold. Instead, you observe, reflect, and take action where you can. This creates a kind of freedom. You’re not bogged down by emotions like frustration or fear about things you can’t fix. This clarity frees you up to notice opportunities, patterns, and connections that others might miss.
This ties directly into design thinking. When we break problems down into smaller, actionable parts, we’re essentially practicing a form of Stoicism. We’re saying, “What’s within our control? What’s the smallest thing we can act on right now?” By focusing on human needs, observing from different perspectives, and prototyping solutions, we’re not trying to fix everything at once. We’re focusing on what we can influence and learning from what emerges.
Also, Stoicism is not just about accepting what’s outside your control, it’s also about being open to what arises. In design thinking, we often talk about emergent thinking; how ideas, solutions, and opportunities come to light as we observe, test, and reflect. When we let go of trying to control every outcome and instead focus on what’s happening right in front of us, we open ourselves to serendipity; those unexpected, happy accidents that lead to breakthroughs.
This mindset is critical for modern leadership and future skills. As leaders, we’re navigating a world that feels more complex and uncertain than ever. We’re dealing with global warming, economic instability, and a sense of division in society. If we’re stuck trying to control everything, we’ll miss what’s happening around us. But if we step back, observe, and focus on what’s within our power to change, we can lead with clarity and purpose.
At Future Skills Academy, we see this connection clearly. The future isn’t just about technical expertise — it’s about human skills. These “power skills,” like emotional intelligence, adaptability, creative problem-solving, and ethical judgment, are the very qualities that Stoicism cultivates. They’re the skills that help us make sense of complexity, build meaningful connections, and create solutions that matter.
Stoicism and design thinking both ask us to think differently. They ask us to embrace what we can control, let go of what we can’t, and stay open to what emerges. By doing this, we not only lead better lives but also create better businesses and communities. In a world overwhelmed by information and uncertainty, these philosophies provide a path forward — a way to focus on what really matters and take meaningful action.