In our last post, we introduced the concept of play-based learning in the workplace. Today, let’s dive deeper into the first of the core concepts of our Playful Learning Framework: Envisioning. But what exactly do we mean by “envisioning,” and why is it so crucial for professional development?
What is Envisioning?
Envisioning is the ability to see beyond the obvious, imagine new possibilities, and understand situations from various perspectives. It’s about developing a broader, more nuanced view of the world around us and our place in it. In the context of workplace learning, envisioning is a powerful tool for fostering innovation, promoting empathy, and driving personal and organizational growth.
Envisioning is also a key component to what Deborah Ancona and her colleagues have called a critical capability that leaders need in turbulent times such as these: sensemaking.1
The Five Key Components of Envisioning
- Developing deeper self-awareness: Understanding your own thought processes and biases.
- Appreciating diverse viewpoints: Valuing and learning from different perspectives.
- Seeing situations from different angles: Looking at problems and opportunities in novel ways.
- Questioning assumptions and beliefs: Challenging the status quo and conventional wisdom.
- Changing frames of reference: Shifting your mindset to see things in a new light.
How Envisioning Relates to Other Learning Principles
Envisioning doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s closely connected to other important learning principles:
- Imaginative Thinking: Fuels creativity and ability to make sense of confusing situations.
- Explorative Growth: Encourages risk-taking and learning from failures.
- Active Engagement: Promotes hands-on experiences that broaden perspectives.
- Enhanced Communication: Facilitates the exchange of diverse viewpoints.
- Social Connection: Exposes individuals to different perspectives through collaboration.
The Benefits of Developing Envisioning Skills in the Workplace
- Fostering Innovation: Employees who can envision new possibilities are more likely to generate innovative ideas.
- Improving Problem-Solving: Seeing situations from multiple angles leads to more creative and effective solutions.
- Enhancing Adaptability: Those who can envision different scenarios are better prepared for change.
- Promoting Empathy: Understanding diverse viewpoints fosters a more inclusive work environment.
- Developing Leadership Skills: Leaders who can envision and communicate future possibilities inspire and guide their teams effectively.
Practical Games and Activities for Cultivating Envisioning Skills
- The “What If” Game: Encourage teams to ask “What if…” questions about your products, services, or processes. This simple exercise can lead to breakthrough ideas.
- Lego Serious Play: Use Lego bricks to build models representing current challenges or future aspirations. This tactile approach can unlock new ways of thinking.
- Reverse Brainstorming: Instead of asking how to solve a problem, ask how to cause it. This reversal can lead to innovative solutions.
- Future Headlines: Have teams write newspaper headlines from 5 or 10 years in the future about your company’s success. This exercise encourages long-term, ambitious thinking.
- Role Reversal: Ask team members to approach a problem from the perspective of different stakeholders (customers, competitors, suppliers, etc.). This builds empathy and broadens viewpoints.
- Mind Mapping: Use visual mind maps to explore connections between ideas, revealing new possibilities and perspectives.
- The “Analogy Challenge”: Encourage teams to find analogies for your business challenges in nature, history, or other industries. This can spark creative problem-solving.
Conclusion: The Future of Work and the Role of Envisioning
As we move into an increasingly complex and rapidly changing business environment, the ability to envision new possibilities will become even more critical. By developing and nurturing envisioning skills, organizations can create a workforce that’s not just ready for the future, but actively shaping it.
Remember, envisioning isn’t just about dreaming big—it’s about seeing clearly. It’s about understanding the present deeply enough to imagine a better future, and having the creativity and courage to bring that future into being. It’s about making sense of complex and chaotic situations and developing agile responses that can move organizations forward.
By incorporating envisioning exercises and principles into your workplace learning and development programs, you’re not just preparing your team for change—you’re empowering them to be the catalysts of positive transformation in your organization and beyond.
In our next post, we’ll explore another core concept of our Playful Learning Framework: Experimentation. Until then, keep playing and keep envisioning!
- Ancona, D., Williams, M., & Gerlach, G. (2020). The overlooked key to leading through chaos. MIT Sloan Management Review, 62(1). ↩︎
