Dr. Jonathan Reichental, Founder, Professor and Author, Human Future
Dr. Jonathan Reichental is the founder of Human Future, a global business and technology advisory, investment, and education firm. Previous roles have included senior software engineering manager, director of technology innovation, and he has served as a chief information officer at both O'Reilly Media and the City of Palo Alto, California.
In 2013 he was recognized as one of the 25 doers, dreamers, and drivers in government in America. In 2016, he was named a top influential CIO in the United States and in 2017, he was named one of the top 100 CIOs in the world. He has also won a best CIO in Silicon Valley award and a national IT leadership prize.
Reichental is a recognized global thought leader on a number of emerging trends, including urban innovation, smart cities, sustainability, blockchain technology, data governance, the fourth industrial revolution, and digital transformation.
He holds several degrees, including a PhD in Information Systems. He is an adjunct professor in the School of Management at the University of San Francisco and instructs at several other universities. Reichental regularly creates online video courses for LinkedIn Learning.
He is a popular global keynote speaker and writer. He has written two books on the future of cities: Smart Cities for Dummies and Exploring Smart Cities Activity Book for Kids.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
I enjoy Twitter. It's a quick way to learn about so many topics and people, have a laugh or two during the day, broadcast knowledge, to use as a marketing tool, and it is generally frictionless.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I'm really passionate about the future of cities.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
All the work that I do feels like a hobby. I do what I do because I love it.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Use the bathroom before a long car or bus ride.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
Reminding myself that life is exceptionally short.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
Earning a PhD and writing a best-selling book. I'm also proud of my dad, who is helping schoolchildren understand the lessons learned from the evils of World War Two.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
Getting an introduction from a trusted friend or colleague.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Perseverance.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
I'd love to have known what I know now much earlier in my life.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
Anyone who is kind to others.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
I really enjoy visiting and exploring cities that I've never been to. I also like working out and playing tennis.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
Like everyone, I've missed the freedoms that have been reduced for safety reasons. That makes me sad. I haven't really seen any negative impacts on my work, and in fact, I've produced more products during the pandemic than I did before it.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I don't have a mentor. I learn from everyone I know and meet. I mentor a lot of people.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Form a unique set of perspectives that is informed and valuable on a topic of broad interest.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Life is hard.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"Find your song and sing it every day."
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success is waking up and generally looking forward to the day ahead. Two lessons I've learned are.
You are unique, don't bother comparing yourself to anyone else.
Know your value.