The Future is Faster Than You Think: Michelle Kusel Of Uncharted Learning On How Leaders Are Preparing for The Innovations, Disruptions, and Strategies That Will Define Tomorrow
An Interview With Cynthia Corsetti
Disruptive futures demand action, and waiting for the “perfect moment” often means being left behind. The reality is, you’re never going to feel completely ready. Success comes from taking calculated risks and learning as you go. To thrive, you need to be adaptable and resilient because there will be times when you jump and the parachute doesn’t open right away.
The pace of change is accelerating, with innovations and disruptions reshaping industries faster than ever. Leaders must not only anticipate these changes but also develop strategies to thrive in this evolving landscape. How are forward-thinking leaders preparing for the technologies and challenges of tomorrow? What strategies are they putting in place today to ensure success in the future? As part of this series, we are interviewing Michelle Kusel P.hD.
Michelle is a learner and innovator by degree and obsession, whether learning something new or asking questions. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Management from Marquette University (2003). Then, she worked in Corporate America before enrolling at Loyola University Chicago for her M.Ed. (2010) and Ph.D. (2019) in Higher Education. Her research focused on trans student experiences as well as the influence of social media on student leaders. Michelle has held both curricular and co-curricular roles in higher education in leadership and experiential learning. She now serves K-12 educational partners through Uncharted Learning and INCubatoredu, a not-for-profit designed to offer students an authentic and collaborative entrepreneurship experience. She is also the founder of Fixin’ It Up, a greeting card business you can find throughout Chicagoland Whole Food Stores.
Michelle has been recognized nationally as a practitioner and scholar through the American Educational Research Association’s Research Article of the Year, ACPA’s Emerging Professional Annuit Coeptis award, and an Inaugural Aspen Index Impact Fellow.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
My career in education has been anything but linear. As a first-generation college student majoring in engineering, I never imagined ending up in my current role. Yet, looking back, I wouldn’t take any other route to get where I am today. My journey in education started unexpectedly — with my spouse calling me a hypocrite. Let me explain…
After earning my master’s degree, I had two full-time job offers. Do we stay in Chicago, braving the winters for a life we knew, or move to North Carolina to chase a pipe dream? One day, my spouse asked, “What do you do for a living?” Frustrated, I rattled off my responsibilities, only to be interrupted:
“When you talk about your day, it’s not the tasks you’re excited about — it’s inspiring students to follow their dreams. Wouldn’t you be a hypocrite if you didn’t follow yours? You’ve always dreamed of leadership.”
“So, we’re moving to North Carolina,” I replied. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, my work centers on helping individuals and organizations grow, challenging assumptions, and broadening perspectives. Through my role at Uncharted Learning, I get to do all that through INCubatoredu, a curriculum used in 200+ high schools globally. As the captain of this (entrepreneur)ship, I write and maintain our evergreen curriculum, stay current on entrepreneurship trends, and support the incredible teachers who bring lessons to life in their classrooms. We provide the map and compass through a robust, adaptable curriculum, but we’re there with you — answering questions, brainstorming ideas, and dreaming big. Together, with our partners, we create students built for success.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
I once had a job where my “other duties as assigned” included being the Loyola University Chicago mascot? Or white water rafting as a work assignment?
One of the coolest stories is one I am living right now. My oldest son, who’s in 5th grade, is enrolled in one of Uncharted Learning’s curriculums, FreshINC. At the start of the school year, he came home and said, “Mom, school got boring this year, and I don’t like going.” My heart sank. A few weeks later, something changed. He started his entrepreneurship class. Now, he comes home beaming, gushing about what he learned. “Mom, I’m having fun at school again!” he told me, and my heart was full.
Hearing those words from him was a full-circle moment. This moment validated the work I do, and reminded me what we create goes far beyond a class — it has the power to change the trajectory of a student’s life.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
While Uncharted Learning provides a curriculum, we’re not in the business of teaching outcomes — we’re in the business of kickstarting students for life beyond the classroom.
As the curriculum writer, we focus on developing skills to empower students to think critically, adapt, and forge their own paths. It’s about building a mindset of curiosity, resilience, and entrepreneurial thinking — qualities serving students well in any endeavor.
Emily Wilhelm, INCubatoredu teacher from Jefferson High School in Rockford, Illinois, said it best, “INCubatoredu gives students a sense of empowerment they didn’t have before …it helps students see their potential. Even if they don’t pursue entrepreneurship, the skills they gain — problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability — set them up for success in any career path.”
Our programs provide students with tools for today, while equipping them to navigate tomorrow with confidence and creativity.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?
1. Prioritize Yourself
Being called “self-centered” often carries baggage, but to me, it’s about self-awareness, self-care, and self-development. I know my strengths and weaknesses, which allows me to focus on what I do well and delegate where I don’t excel — creating opportunities to lift others as I climb.
For instance, when writing professional publications, I never work alone. I collaborate with emerging scholars who complement my skills and benefit from the experience. This improves the final product and creates a rewarding, collaborative process — plus, I meet deadlines!
Understanding yourself is key to growth and creating space for others to succeed. As they say, “Delegate to elevate.”
2. Be Curious
Curiosity drives my work every day. I’m constantly asking questions, exploring possibilities, and seeking ways to improve. This skill comes in handy when we plan professional development training for our teachers. I don’t just think about the content — I ask, “How can we deliver this engagingly and innovatively?”
For example, this year we introduced a new format called “Ignite Talk”. Teachers presented their ideas in a fast-paced, dynamic style. The session was a huge success! Teachers retained what they learned during the session and brought the concept back to their classrooms to use with their students.
3. Trust Your Spidey Sense
That gut feeling — your “spidey sense” — can be your most valuable tool. Learning to trust it has been instrumental in my success. This often comes into play when I listen to student feedback on our curriculum. I don’t just hear what they’re saying — I pick up on what they aren’t saying. Their direct and indirect feedback gives me insight into what’s working, what’s not, and how we need to evolve to keep the curriculum relevent and impactful.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. What emerging technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact on your industry in the next five years, and how are you preparing for them?
In the next five years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will greatly impact entrepreneurship. I get it. everyone is saying this because it’s true! In entrepreneurship, AI opens up exciting new possibilities for personalized learning and efficiencies. For example, Barrington High School students incorporate AI into the ideation process by prompting it to craft targeted interview questions for their customer segments. Students leverage chatbots to practice their interviews, identifying gaps, and predicting customer behavior before engaging with real people. This approach helps students refine their skills to ensure they’re prepared to gather richer insights during actual customer interviews.
Before we panic about chatbots erasing creativity and critical thinking, let’s approach AI with a lens of critical curiosity. I once read, “Chatbots don’t make sense — they make words,” which is especially true in the examples above. While AI tools can assist students, their true value lies in the students’ ability to ask thoughtful questions, interpret results, and make strategic decisions. The tools enhance the process, but the foundation of success remains rooted in critical thinking and creativity.
To reinforce this in the INCubatoredu curriculum, we include a bell ringer activity where students craft a single, well-thought-out prompt to input into a chatbot. Then evaluate the output and discuss how to best refine the prompt to improve results. This exercise helps students critically engage with AI and teaches them how to harness its potential while sharpening their problem-solving and analytical skills.
How do you balance the need for rapid innovation with the risk of potential disruptions in your organization?
Innovation and disruption go hand in hand. True innovation is inherently disruptive. If you’re not challenging established norms, processes, or expectations, you’re not pushing boundaries hard enough. Rather than viewing disruption negatively, I see it as a natural and necessary part of growth. While disruption can be uncomfortable, the alternative — stagnation — is far worse.
This mindset is at the core of our curriculum, grounded in the Lean Startup methodology. By design, this approach encourages pivots, iterations, and rapid decision-making. We cultivate a culture with our teachers to value experimentation and view failure as a learning opportunity. We encourage teachers to internalize this mindset and pass it on to their students.
Can you share an example of a strategy you’ve implemented to future-proof your business against upcoming technological changes?
Uncharted Learning focuses on durable, transferable skills like critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability — skills to empower students to navigate change confidently, regardless of the tools at hand. These skills transcend any technological advances.
For example, a student at Lewisville High School in South Carolina had an idea for an app but didn’t know how to code. Instead of giving up, she taught herself and published her app in the App Store. This story highlights how resilience and resourcefulness led to her success. By anchoring our curriculum in these skills, we prepare students to thrive in an ever-changing world, equipping them to adapt, innovate, and confidently lead in any situation.
What skills or mindsets do you believe are essential for leaders to thrive in an era of rapid technological advancement?
In a world filled with information overload, overstimulation, and constant noise, leaders must be able to distill clarity from chaos, align diverse perspectives, and create a sense of purpose for their teams and themselves. By fostering this mindset, leaders can navigate the challenges of technological advancement, and empower their teams to thrive in an ever-changing, dynamic world.
What are your “Five Things You Need to Prepare For The Disruptive Future”?
1 . Jump Before You Are Ready
Disruptive futures demand action, and waiting for the “perfect moment” often means being left behind. The reality is, you’re never going to feel completely ready. Success comes from taking calculated risks and learning as you go. To thrive, you need to be adaptable and resilient because there will be times when you jump and the parachute doesn’t open right away.
I’ve seen students embody this principle during the MVP (minimum viable product) stage of INCubatoredu. At Central High School, students participate in an event where teams pitch their business ideas to community members for feedback. While the students are only halfway through the curriculum, there are typically more questions than answers at this point, but they stand up proudly to present their businesses. When faced with challenging questions, they respond, “That’s a great question. I’ll look into it.”
This process allows students to gather early feedback and refine their ideas, ultimately creating a business or product that resonates deeply with their audience. Progress comes from action, not waiting for perfection.
2. Prepare For A Job That Doesn’t Exist
I’ve had an unconventional career path, moving from engineering to human resources to education — fields that seem vastly different. The common thread? My skills go beyond job descriptions.
In college, I didn’t want to be an engineer, despite majoring in it. My dad’s advice was, “Stick with it. You can do anything with an engineering degree.” He was right. Engineering taught me critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and a “why not” attitude. These durable, adaptable skills became the foundation of my career, helping me navigate diverse fields and build a meaningful curriculum.
3. Learn How To Use Technology Effectively
In an era where technology is everywhere, it’s easy to assume younger generations automatically know how to use it effectively. However, this assumption is far from the truth.
Let’s see if you can relate. Have you ever attended a networking event, accepted dozens of LinkedIn requests, and never followed up or engaged with those connections? A large network is useless if you’re not using it to build relationships or share knowledge. Maybe your digital presence needs an update, or your LinkedIn profile is missing your most recent job description. These oversights can give the impression of disinterest or a lack of effort, missing opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, or professional growth.
The good news? We can learn. For instance, our curriculum teaches students how to create and use LinkedIn effectively. We even offer a private group where students and alumni can network with peers and mentors worldwide, learning how to leverage the platform for real connections and growth.
The takeaway is simple. Take the time to learn how to optimize the tools you’re using. Technology doesn’t automatically download into your brain because you’ve grown up with it. If that were true, I’d walk around with a tennis racket and expect to compete at Wimbledon!
4. Listen to People Outside of Your Usual Circle
The best answers don’t always come from “experts.” Sometimes, the person who holds the key to your problem is the one you least expect. To thrive, you need to be open to the idea that anyone — regardless of title, experience, or background — can hold the key to solving a problem or uncovering an opportunity. For example, while washing my water bottle the other day, my 7-year-old offered a simple yet ingenious solution to keep the straw upright while it dried. This moment reinforced the importance of staying open to ideas from unconventional contributors.
5. Be Curious, Not Judgmental
In an era of constant disruption, curiosity is a superpower. Being curious means staying open to new ideas, perspectives, and possibilities — essential traits for navigating the unknown. It’s about seeking to understand rather than rushing to judge, like Ted Lasso taught us.
In the show, Ted shares the phrase “Be curious, not judgmental” during a game of darts to highlight the power of curiosity in uncovering truths and fostering understanding. This philosophy is especially relevant in a rapidly changing world, where assumptions can hold us back from innovation, growth, and meaningful connections.
In the very first lesson of INCubatoredu, we show a slide reading, “How can creativity and curiosity help us disrupt conformity?” We teach students how to properly brainstorm including, how to silence their voice of judgment. Curiosity isn’t just about asking questions — it’s about being open to answers that challenge your assumptions, making it one of the most important ways to prepare for a disruptive future.
How do you foster a culture within your team that is both adaptable and resilient in the face of fast-paced innovation?
To foster adaptability and resilience in the face of rapid innovation, I emphasize reframing failure as a valuable part of learning. Innovation requires risks, and entrepreneurship involves assumptions — being wrong is inevitable. We embrace failure as an opportunity to grow, shifting mindsets to approach challenges with curiosity and creativity.
I celebrate teachers’ failures as much as their successes. During our annual training, educators share missteps, reflect, and collaborate on improvements. This openness inspires them to foster the same culture in their classrooms. By encouraging experimentation, students learn failure is a stepping stone to growth and innovation.
How do you ensure that ethical considerations and social impact remain a priority as you navigate rapid advancements in technology?
Transparency is the foundation for prioritizing ethics and social impact in an age of rapid technological change. We openly discuss the potential benefits, risks, and, perhaps most importantly, the unintended consequences of technology. It forces us to be vulnerable and to say, “You know what? I don’t know, but that’s a great question,” or “Wow, I messed that up! I did not see that coming!”
We consistently involve our teachers and even students in conversations about technology’s role in education, thus creating a culture of shared accountability. This collaborative approach ensures that the impact of our work is not an afterthought but a guiding principle.
Ultimately, transparency isn’t just about sharing information — it’s building trust. By being upfront about our choices and their reasons, we can navigate the complexities of technological advancement while staying true to our ethical commitments and creating meaningful, positive change.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I could start a movement, it would prioritize mentoring and coaching younger generations. Whether you’re a teacher recognizing a student’s potential, a mentor offering guidance, or a big brother teaching his sibling how to pitch a baseball, the ripple effects of simply showing up and being present are immeasurable.
I see this movement come to life every day in my work with INCubatoredu, which inspired me to join Uncharted Learning. Students are paired with mentors from their local community who support them as they navigate the uncertainty and self-doubt often associated with entrepreneurship — and high school! I take pride in fostering these relationships broadly, and actively participating as a mentor and coach in my home school district, Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95!
This idea extends further in places like Leander ISD, where former INCubatoredu students mentor and teach elementary school entrepreneurship students. It’s incredible to watch the mutual growth and inspiration that stems from these interactions. Everyone has something valuable to offer and everyone has the power to make a difference.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can follow my work by connecting with me on LinkedIn and exploring my portfolio to see where our stories intersect. I’d love to connect and share insights!
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About the Interviewer: Cynthia Corsetti is an esteemed executive coach with over two decades in corporate leadership and 11 years in executive coaching. Author of the upcoming book, “Dark Drivers,” she guides high-performing professionals and Fortune 500 firms to recognize and manage underlying influences affecting their leadership. Beyond individual coaching, Cynthia offers a 6-month executive transition program and partners with organizations to nurture the next wave of leadership excellence.
The Future is Faster Than You Think: Michelle Kusel Of Uncharted Learning On How Leaders Are… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.