Friday Fun Fest
You’ve been given one wish – just a single wish – and you can’t wish for more wishes (because everyone knows wishes don’t work that way).
Take a minute to think about it and then write it down.
Now I want you to imagine that your wish came true exactly as you stated it. Got it?
Good! Now keep reading...
Skip the horrors of “wishes come true”
There have been countless stories about wishes gone awry. I’m sure you’re familiar with the predictable plot: Person makes wish. Wish is granted exactly as asked. Horrible consequences result and person regrets ever making the wish.
This well-tread plot has been spun different ways but an example might be that the main character wishes for “peace on earth.” Their wish is granted with the peace one finds in a graveyard... because everyone on earth dies. BOOM! No more conflicts because there are no more living folks to fight with each other.
Use it for a fun (if improbable) impact analysis
Once you’ve come up with your wish and imagined it coming true, start imagining what the consequences might be. Don’t go to Twilight Zone or horror story extremes, as described above. But remember we don’t live in a vacuum, so the changes that occur because of your wish will impact others somehow!
Who are those people? How are they affected? Do they think the impact is good or bad? What could you have “wished” differently to have a more positive effect for these people?
Why it matters
Humans are naturally self-centered and we’re not good at seeing things from perspectives beyond our own. It can be very useful to do a personal impact analysis whenever we’re pushing for some significant change. Even though WE think the change is extremely positive and makes true progress, others will experience the effects of the change and they won’t all see things our way!
Relaxed Leaders understand that instead of waiting until we’re faced with a real situation with potentially significant consequences, we can practice doing a personal impact analysis on playful scenarios.
We all have wishes, so imagine one comes true and then think through what happens to everyone affected. It’s a fun way to practice a valuable progressive leadership skill!