Reflections on the Gartner Hype Cycle
The peak of the hype cycle is where the future is imagined.
When people see a technology at the peak of the hype cycle, they often dismiss it as a bubble. The logic goes, if the technology can’t live up to the hype, it’s a bad place to be.
But I see it differently.
Whenever a new technology captures our imagination, our visions are not constrained by the current capabilities. We see possibilities far beyond what the initial functionality of the technology can deliver.
This gap between vision and capability is where we influence the future.
Some companies will wait until the technology matures, letting others struggle through the hard problems and develop solutions. They’ll adopt the technology later, when the risks are lower. (Hello Apple.)
Others take a hands on approach. They jump in, working to make those visions a reality. These are the companies, teams, and individuals who actively shape the future. They put their skin in the game, and in doing so, shape what comes next.
You can reframe the peak of the hype cycle, then, not as noise, but as the space where the future is imagined. And in that gap lies the opportunity to future proof those big, imagination-catching ideas.
So the next time you see a technology at the top of the hype cycle, don’t despair. Recognize it for what it is: an invitation to step in and actively shape the future.
This is one of the insights I shared in my recent keynote, Future Proofing the Age of Agents, at PING YOUniverse. If you’re interested in bringing this kind of perspective to your organization, I’m available for keynote speaking and workshops.