Periodically, we gain a vantage point that lets us see the route ahead. They can be illuminating, inspiring, or discouraging, depending on what we see and what we were expecting.
How might we use moments of elevation to assess the resources required to successfully navigate the terrain ahead?
What might we learn from the decomposing light demonstration? Our perspectives change when we eliminate certain inputs from our environment. Nonprofit organizations that hold a planning retreat but decide not to include all staff members or to refrain from inviting the advisory council are effectively narrowing the range of ideas that will be illuminated. We do not have to invite everyone to every session, but when we are deliberately seeking a generative mindset, it might be valuable to pair people who do not meet in typical sessions.
How might our willingness to seek out weak ties actually strengthen the process?
We can map out our route until we cannot. There is a moment at which our planned itinerary contains a gap or uncertainty. It may appear that we are traveling a continuous path, but serendipity and detours will appear, even in the most detailed schedule of events. How might we expect the unexpected and embrace the elements of our plan that fall into place?
It is easy to think about how to scale when, in reality, we might not comprehend the realities of scale.
Two Starbucks, located across the street from each other, appear like poor business planning; until we recognize that the stores exist in an urban design that prioritizes automobiles. If ease of pedestrian travel were a preference, perhaps one store would be sufficient.
How might we understand ‘who it is for’ before we begin our design and implementation phase? Starbucks does not exist to serve vehicles, but it does serve people. That said, it inhabits an environment that has amplified the needs of motorized travel; therefore, its design model accommodates those arriving in vehicles.
Where we perform our art adds depth and dimension to the experience. If we skate in a poorly lit and aging ice rink, we do not benefit from the added value that a remarkable backdrop can offer.
When we plan in isolation, we might fail to see the landscape that impacts our journey.
Not all strategies can be BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). Sometimes, section hiking or even linking together day hikes might be more productive than trying to complete the entire thru-hike that we aspire to finish.
Where we place a bridge reflects our priorities. We cannot build a bridge over every obstacle without a massive amount of capital, so we must select the places where constructing a bridge makes the most sense. How might our infrastructure investment have the greatest impact on those we serve?
Staging an event is a critical part of the play. It adds depth and dimension to the production. It can accentuate or distract. How much effort do you put into staging your presentation? Does it add value to those you serve?
If forced to navigate a squeeze section on a trail, what would you take with you? What would you leave behind? At what point do you look for another route, since the resources sacrificed are too important?
What-if-concepts 