How might we share our outtakes? The versions that were stepping stones to the finished product.
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Cheer for Us!
If professional athletes aspire to have an inspired fan base attend their events and cheer for them during a competition, is their reciprocity that they offer an interchange when encountering recreational athletes during training sessions? Said more directly, if amateur cyclists wish teams of professional cyclists greetings as they pass on the road, are multiple blank stares back from the pro squad a promising way to engage with fans? Might they lift a finger in recognition or utter ‘hi’?
How might we not overlook simple exchanges all due to our focus on assembling the greatest audience to cheer for us at our signature events? How might we remember that the most casual interactions might be the cement that creates a bond? Some of the most pleasing memories are formed in the unscripted moments orchestrated by serendipity.
All-Star Games
There is audible frustration that current professional sport all-star games are becoming performative. There is little incentive to win, concerns about injuries, protective egos, and a growing apathy. How might an all-star event become noteworthy? Who is an all-star game for, the players or the fans? How might we ensure we are not hosting events that become irrelevant, even when we have the right people in the room?
How Do We Know Where We Rank?
Without awards, how would we know where we rank? How do you measure progress? Do you wait for the annual award show to allow for recognition or disappointment? What if you only have your personal results to use as a measurement? What if you only get a data report once a year? How long does an award sustain your efforts? Are you still talking about an elementary school spelling bee victory, a middle school track and field win, a high school team victory, a college academic achievement, a workplace honor from an accrediting agency, or the nod of appreciation from a co-worker? Awards have a shelf-life unless they are extremely rare (Noble Prize, Olympic Gold medal, World Championship). Awards might be waypoints to acknowledge and re-energize our efforts, but they cannot nourish or sustain us unless high school is the highlight of our lives.
Front Row Super Fans
What if we reserved the front rows for our super fans? How might our programs feel different if the people occupying the floor seats were highly passionate, dedicated, and knowledgeable? How might your audience’s mindset change if they were upgraded? The other option is to sell the best seats for the highest price (or allow transactions on the secondary market) and set high expectations. If we pay a premium, the margin to delight people is usually marginal. We can control certain aspects of our events, so why not promote the individuals who cheer for everyone?
Refresh
When rebuilding a ski lift, placing the lift towers in the same locations as the original version may not be necessary. Reconstruction is a chance to reimagine how the ski lift functions and even alter the impact of the ski lift. The first ski lift was constructed in the low point (valley) of pioneering ski runs. The thinking was skiers would gravitate to the ridges to make their turns. Skiers, acted on by gravity, naturally returned to the canyon portion of the ski run and inevitably dodged lift towers that occupied the preferred fall line. So, the ski lift was reconstructed on the ridge lines, reversing the original paradigm.
How might we utilize reconstruction to update our alignment? What if we are expanding the size of the board? Do we seek weak ties to broaden representation on the board, or do we double down on the skill sets and attributes currently serving the board? What if a key partnership changes? Do we find the next best organization to fill the vacuum, or do we review the program and assess future needs before moving forward? How do we remain curious, even when we have invested in a functional platform?
Outliers
When a group does something noteworthy once, we call it a blip. But if they repeat it again, and again, and again, we search for clues. During a school’s annual day of giving, the graduates from the class of 1988 participate at an extraordinary rate. There is nothing unique about these graduates, no celebrity offering tickets to their next event or incentive scheme that makes participation transactional. Simply put, one class member dedicated themselves to staying in contact (pre-social media) with most of the class. They sent out several emails before and during the one-day philanthropy event. Class members respond, and the cascade of contributions flows, with the participation rate edging toward 80% (the above screenshot was taken before all gifts were made). Other class agents attempt to replicate the giving patterns of the class of ’88 with mixed results but usually cannot sustain the participation rate. The class of ’88 is an outlier, not necessarily managed by the school, but a once-a-year revival.
How might your cause embrace your outliers? Where do you offer support? Where do you stand aside and allow the organic nature of their actions to proceed, unencumbered by systems? Which outlier activities are transferable, and which are not easy to replicate?
Alternate
Alternate routes, alternate team members, and alternate itineraries are not for everyone. It is the road less traveled, a side track that reinforces the primary route and, by name, implies it is less significant. However, it gets us further down the trail if required. Consider all the Olympic and World Championship events where an alternate team member is sitting on the bench, at home, or competing at a secondary event. These remarkable individuals were one place away from making the team. They were tantalizing close to being in the game. Due to their consistent presence, insights and support, they are a catalyst for the selected athletes.
Who are your organization’s alternates? The individuals not on the staff or the board but who can jump in when necessary. The substitute teacher that fills in for any absent teacher. The volunteer who can jump in at the last minute to engage with donors or run a checkout station during the big gala. The former staff member who knows how to coax a report from an aging software system. Having highly competent reserves ensures your enterprise continues its journey even when an alternate travel route is required.
But, I am Good at Complaining
When is it worth complaining? Is it an emotional reaction, an opportunity to point out areas for improvement, a warning of pending danger, or to address a barrier that requires removal? You can stand in a stall easily if you are a horse that throws a shoe. If your horse is competing in a week-long endurance event trip, reshoeing is required since there is much terrain to cover. Complaining might be warranted in one situation and not as urgent in the other.
Complaining has become an expected or even acceptable form of communication. How might we prepare to respond to those who rely on complaining as their primary communication technique? Roy Kent’s press conference from the Ted Lasso series is a master class in using a story to add perspective to an emotional situation.
They Know the Song. Now We Can Share the Spotlight
Near the end of Prince’s rendition of Purple Rain at the 2007 Super Bowl, he knocks over the microphone and turns his song over to the crowd. Tens of thousands sing the final rounds of the chorus. It was the summation of a phenomenal halftime show. For the majesty of the performance, the group participation at the conclusion took the experience to a legendary crescendo.
When we share the stage, our generosity is often rewarded with a feeling of ownership and personal fulfillment that cannot be replicated by acoustic osmosis. How might we share the stage with our fans so we can produce the best version of our collective work?
What-if-concepts 