The challenges of the world are complex and somewhat endless. People’s approaches may differ so as to how to make meaningful contributions:
Diego may decide to focus on practical fixes and tactics in the short term with his available capacities and resources.
Sandy may anticipate all the risks and obstacles along the way, leading her to become stymied by fear, doubts, or anticipated fatigue.
Milly, on the other hand, may use her energy to first imagine how an ideal world would look.
Do you recognize yourself in one of these persons? Are you wondering if you are able to bring change in your world or if you should dare to dream bigger? Can dreams limit or expand our possibilities?
Chances are Diego, Sandy and Milly may not understand each other. Still, all of them are linked by their wish for change. Only their perceptions and strategies differ. Who is right? What if I told you Diego, Sandy, and Milly each hold a card that could play an important part in the solution? What if, to be effective, they had to play their cards in a certain order?
The power and limits of the small voice: ‘What If I fail’?
Who has never been stressed when thinking about the possibility of seeing a project or a mission fail? Doubt may be powerful in pushing us to take a step back from a current situation in order to assess blind spots and anticipate risks or obstacles. Besides, it keeps us humble and makes us accept the uncontrollable reality on the ground.
Forbidding oneself to dare and try because of a potential risk of failure may lead to paralysis, low self-esteem, and potential depression. Even if the effects do not go that far, limiting the level of your ambitions to make sure you can achieve your plans may, counter-intuitively and dramatically, reduce your overall impact in the long term.
For example, let’s say you avoid joining the “green task force” at work because you are not an expert, but rather you decide to focus on creating zero waste cleaning products at home. This is great for your family but you may lose opportunities to learn from others, to share your precious know-how with your colleagues, and, therefore, you risk denying individuals’ the benefit of your experience and wisdom!
If focusing on small and practical steps is a good way to make progress, you first need a motivating and clear end goal. Without such a goal, you may end up nowhere. Even the pragmatic formulas for change like ‘PDCA methods’ (plan, decide, check, act) include the articulation of specific objectives to define the relevant priorities and required steps.
The power and limits of the formula of encouragement: ‘But dear what if you fly’?
Daring to dream reconnects you to what is important for you, what is propelling you along your journey. It also helps you re-clarify what you are aiming for. Envisioning an expected future not only enables you to unite your peers around a clear vision but also generates hope and energy to overcome potential hurdles along the way. As Simon Sinek said in his Ted Talk, Martin Luther King did not say “I have a plan” but “I have a dream”. I bet that if he had anticipated all the risks along his path towards equality, I doubt he would have had so many followers and such resilience.
That said, the downfall of dreaming is that the dream itself may evaporate if not followed by realistic actions. Besides, the act of dreaming raises the bar of expectations high. Perceiving the gap between the present situation and the expected outcome may lead some people to despair, confusion, anxiety, or inefficiency when it comes to making practical efforts.
The Changemaker success factor? Finding harmony between your inner Diego, Sandy, and Milly.
Maintaining an ambitious vision on one hand, and being pragmatic on the other hand, allows one to build and follow a realistic roadmap to tackle a challenge. This is essential for solving dramatic issues such as poverty, pollution, gender inequalities, and biodiversity loss. Great leaders and changemakers are impressive but not superheroes.
As my great coach friend, Magalie would say, they act as “pragmatic dreamers” in being the change they want for the world. They know how to surround themselves with a variety of personalities that bring insights they miss. They also know when to recognize their various inner voices and when to listen to the correct one. Are you wondering how to do that?
ACTUALIZING YOUR CHANGE
The Tool
I often use the coaching method called the Walt Disney technique for my clients and me when wishing to bring aspiration to life. I find this thinking pattern helps to learn how to dance with uncertainty in building resilience and inner security. Besides, it reminds us of the power of collective work and the richness of diverse perspectives.
This approach was modeled by NLP pioneer, Robert Dilts. Why such a name? Because, according to Dilts, Walt Disney was a genius in connecting imagination with business strategy and popular enthusiasm. The Disney Creativity Strategy, sometimes called the Tri-Positioning method, orchestrates the play of three vital roles for the client: the dreamer, the realist, and the critic.
In taking the role of the dreamer first, clients are able to acknowledge and embrace their vision without limiting themselves.
Once energized by the usefulness and possible positive ripple effects of their project, clients can adopt the perspective of the realist and pragmatist. This view encourages clients to organize their ideas and assess priorities.
The third essential step, allows the client to constructively and kindly challenge their plan. They allow themselves to look for potential difficulties. Warning, this is not the French dramatic style of criticizing that is expected here. Rather, the type of sharp remarks you would receive from a critical, yet caring, mentor or good friend.
Clients then take back the role of the realist to come up with tangible solutions.
Once their tactics refined, clients can enrich their vision of their dream.
All three roles perfectly cooperate to channel clients’ creativity in an effective manner.
The Mantra
““The only thing we are sure to fail is that which we don’t attempt.” ”
Over to you: are you up for a challenge?
Think of one of your hopes or projects. Select the role you are the most comfortable with (i.e. Dreamer, Realist, Critic), and think of two friends or colleagues that could naturally play the other two roles in real life. Ask yourself:
What would [name of the dreamer] see?
What would [name of the Realist] want to start?
What would [name of the Critic] warn me about?
What would I commit myself to do so that I could turn my dream into a spark of reality?
If you want to get an extra push of motivation, send me a message or post your hope and the first step on Linkedin and tag me! I will support you in playing the role of a critical and cheerleading friend.
Feel free to share how such an article resonates with you, I’d love to know. Besides, if you want support to become the leader you want for the world you expect, contact me! Here is a form find to further elaborate your ambition and challenges: English / French