Author: whatifconcepts

Empowering those that inspire so they can excel at the work that matters.

Committed to the Journey

If you are committed to the journey, you are willing to get your shoes wet. It is a simple test early in an expedition.

The smoke from the wildfires cleared in our region for a day. I went for a long trail run and at the first water crossing, I waded through the river and prepared to continue my run. A group of hikers inquired if there was a crossing that did not require wading across the river. I said I was unaware of any immediate down trees that formed natural bridges or rocks that allowed for hopping across. Despite my reassurance that the alpine lake they had selected as a destination was remarkable and the water was not cold, they turned around and proceeded back to the trailhead. I was committed to my journey, thinking it was enhanced by the dozen stream crossings. They were committed to keeping their feet dry. A river crossing served as the barrier to entry.

Ambitious Plans

There are ambitious goals, and then there are plans that overcome our comprehension. If I told you I was going to thru-hike the Continental Divide Trail (Mexico to Canada), you might be able to fathom that feat. If you happen to live trail adjacent, you might even offer to assist me with food, a shower, or a place to stay. If I told you I was going to circumnavigate the globe on foot five times and I planned to walk past your house in five years, you might offer assistance but you may also kindly suggest we talk when the time gets closer. We can support what we can comprehend, but if overwhelmed, we do not know where to start.

The plans we share with our fans might be best if they are ambitious and daunting but relevant enough that our fans can find a point of confluence.

Heckling Statues

Is heckling a statue worth the effort? What is gained by directing our grievances towards an inanimate object? Is the statue an iconic representation of a person or movement that is the nexus for exchanging points of view? Are there other ways to share our message with individuals who might contribute a response?

How might we amplify our message? Are you finding the best stage from which to deliver our viewpoint?

Direction vs Speed

In many cases, direction is more important than speed. A fire truck responding quickly to a structure fire provides little use if it is dispatched to the wrong address. An Olympic marathon runner who misses a course marker does not medal if their error takes them too far off route, despite maintaining the quickest pace per mile. The Concorde was highly dependent on speed to stay aloft and amplify its brand. Yet, covering the distance from NYC to London in record time is irrelevant if the plane lands in London, France.

Pausing to confirm alignment with magnetic north (or a critical bearing point) might make our work more constructive, even if we arrive without securing the fastest known time.

Yes or No Photo

Almost all the blog posts on the What-if-Concepts website contain a photo, and with rare exceptions, the photos are original. I often wonder if the photos add to or subtract from the content. I like to believe they add depth and dimension to the text that follows.

How might we understand the impact of our work, both the elements and the finished product? How might we engage our audience to discover what needs to be amplified and what distracts? And, how might we, as the artist, author, and curator, preserve our integrity, regardless of what the data suggests?

Mind Shift

What if you read that this year will be the coolest average global temperature in the next century? It is a different spin from the typical statement that the current year is the warmest on record. This perspective has been thoughtfully outlined by John Vaillant in his book Fire Weather: A True Story From A Hotter World.

How might we describe our work so it resonates and provides memorable context?

Former Board Member Prompt

What are the five most important things your organization has forgotten?

What if you invited former board, staff, volunteers, and key insiders back for a round table (virtual, in-person, or hybrid)? If you provide them with an update on the state of the organization and then ask, ‘What are we missing and/or forgetting?‘

I work with several nonprofit boards that have term limits. As board members transition to former board members, the amount of institutional knowledge that evades transfer is overwhelming. It is not always obvious items but often the peripheral pieces.

How might we benefit from those who have proceeded us? How might those who have served continue to fuel the journey with their knowledge and networks? How might ‘end of term’ not mean ‘out of touch?’

Perspective vs Perception

Perception is what we see. Perspective is how we interpret the information.

How do we use the generative mode of thinking to embrace both our perceptions and perspectives? If an outcome relies on making a decision, then we prioritize perspective. If we are working in a broader mindset, we benefit from both.