Thinking the Unthinkable
Nik Gowing, Founder and Director of Thinking the Unthinkable, works to empower leaders on how to navigate the new uncertainties and disruption
What is Thinking the Unthinkable?
Founded by Nik Gowing in 2014, TtU is a dynamic leadership project which recognises that leaders are struggling to embrace new realities.
Using interviews with, and access to, the highest levels of business, public service and governments the ongoing and dynamic project reveals candidly why so many leaders at every level face new difficulties adapting to the scale of unthinkables and unpalatables.
We focus on developing new mind muscle that liberates leadership transformation. Our mission is to inspire bold, positive, purpose-driven leadership that embraces change and drives sustainable growth.
The Thinking the Unthinkable Book
At Thinking the Unthinkable we have tracked and interviewed hundreds of senior leaders across multiple sectors. The findings from these conversations informed our book Thinking the Unthinkable (2018) and laid the foundation for our ongoing work.
Today we engage with leaders and their organisations to surface difficult issues. We create space for innovative and positive thinking in response to global disruptions, in particular the climate and nature emergency. We focus on developing new mind muscle that liberates leadership transformation and accelerates system change in the face of unthinkables.
Today's Global Reach
Today Thinking the Unthinkable continues to help leaders develop new mind muscle across the globe.
Through tailored leadership interventions, global conferences and interactive workshops, the TtU project continues to expand. The project has now spread across 20 countries and continues to grow.
We now partner with some of the most respected organisations in the world. Each has embraced Thinking the Unthinkable, and we will continue to work with those serious about facing future risk head-on.
Discover the Thinking the Unthinkable Podcast
Join us for bold, positive conversations with visionary leaders, innovators, and change-makers. Discover how leaders are dealing with Unthinkables from the climate crisis to geopolitics.
Kylie Porter
CEO, Greater Whitsunday Alliance
"Thinking the Unthinkable and then acting on it. Nik Gowing put it so beautifully. We need to Think the Unthinkable and then design systems to tackle them.
We can so often avoid the hard conversation: bury our heads in the sand, avoid the elephant in the room and where does that get us? Unprepared and out of time. Being brave enough to Think the Unthinkable needs elevation in every boardroom."
Thinking the Unthinkable Case Studies
CWZ Ecosystem Partner Meet Up | Zurich, 2026
At Climate Week Zurich Nik Gowing moderated and steered this discussion for Google’s Ecosystem Partner Meet Up.
Delphi Economic Forum | Delphi, 2026
Thinking the Unthinkable designed and led a high-intensity, 30-minute workshop aligned to the Forum’s central theme: “The Shock of the New.”
Villars Ocean Forum | Villars, 2026
Nik Gowing moderated two high-level, science-led plenary sessions. They focused on one of the most urgent systemic risks facing the planet.
Atlantic Dialogues | Rabat, Morocco 2025
Moderated by Nik Gowing, the sessions highlighted the need for curiosity and collaboration to build a more resilient global order.
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