Creating Space for "What if...?"

What if…? 

So many are asking this question. It’s an exciting time. The disruption of the last couple of years has opened up much broader possibilities for the work we do, as well as where, when and how we do it. 

Questions like, “What if…

… our people could work from anywhere?”

… our office space created more innovation than ever before?”

… our investment in technology left people with only the favourite parts of their jobs?”

… our leaders felt confident with this complexity?”

These questions are exciting and often kick off energising conversations. After the initial buzz of possibility, reality starts to kick in. Action points emerge from the discussion. Nothing comes off the ‘to-do’ list, yet these great ideas begin to demand attention. Attention and energy that very few have to give. The initial excitement from the “What if…?” can ultimately lead to feelings of overwhelm. I’ve seen it. You’ve seen it. You’ve probably felt it too. It can be so disheartening when we don’t get to create, only deliver.

So what?

Should we avoid the conversation about possibilities? No way!

Instead, create the space for it. Make that the focus of your first set of action points. Don’t move straight to action on the ‘What if…?” Move to action on:

• What’s the impact of doing nothing?

• What can you stop?

• What can you slow down?

• What support can you bring in?

• Who has the energy and space to get this moving?

Crowding out creative, imaginative work threatens our long-term productivity, which I’ve written about before. It’s even harder to make space for “what if…?” when we spend more time working alone. It’s more important than ever that we create and protect the space for our “What if…?” giving it space ultimately to become, “We created that!”