High-functioning teams balance execution with envisioning what is possible. When teams imagine future possibilities together, it normalizes change as a part of growth, reminds team members that shared values can serve as a compass forward, and strengthens commitment because team members see their ideas reflected in the future state.
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Preparing for This Activity
- Anticipated Duration: 30–45 minutes.
- Preparation Level: Mid
- Suitable for: In person and remote meetings
- Materials:
- Future Headlines handout
- Index cards or half-sheets of paper
- Markers or pens
- Flipchart, whiteboard, or shared doc to share headlines
- Optional: Images or magazines for visual inspiration
- Scissors, tape, glue
Roadmap
Frame the exercise by sharing the purpose.
“Today, we are going to imagine what’s possible for our team. Instead of focusing on barriers or challenges, we will dream big and picture what success looks like when we’re working at our best, so much so that our story would make headlines across campus.”
Instructions
This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.
1. Individual Reflection (3 minutes)
- Imagine it is one year from now, and our team is thriving.
- What are we doing really well?
- How are we thriving in our work?
- What would be the highlight of the past year?
- What are we most proud of?
- Each person writes 2–3 phrases or ideas on paper or their handout.
2. Headline and Subheading (10 minutes)
- Create small groups, with teams of four to five.
- Each individual shares their ideas.
- Using a flipchart or shared document, collect all the ideas and cluster them into themes.
- Collaboratively select one theme you want to work on.
- Write a headline. Make it attention-grabbing and capture the theme.
- Write a subheading. Provide a bit more information to engage the future reader.
- Example: Innovation beyond Imagination: Team X Drives Change through Curiosity and Courage.
3. Draft the story (10 minutes)
- Small groups draft a short story on a flipchart or in a shared document. Create 3–6 sentences to accompany your headline.
- Use the guiding questions to write a short article.
- What did your team do or achieve?
- How did the team get there? What made it possible?
- What challenges did the team overcome?
- What impact did the team have? And for whom?
- What are you most proud of?
- Add pictures from magazines, online images, or drawings to supplement your article.
4. Aligning Vision with Values (5 minutes)
- As a last step, invite each group to consider the deeper skills, principles, dynamics that made this success possible in the storyline. What were the values that guided the team to this success?
- Use the following guiding questions.
- What behaviors or actions are present in this future story?
- How do these behaviors demonstrate what matters most to us as a team?
- Which values are being expressed through these actions?
- Ask the small group to identify 1–3 values-in-action that are present in this story.
5. Gallery Walk (5–10 minutes)
- Invite each group to post their story and briefly share with the larger group.
- If time is limited, offer time for a Gallery Walk to read all of the stories.
- After each story is shared and/or reviewed, invite a large group debrief.
- What stands out to you?
- What values resonate for you most?
- How can this exercise help us move forward this coming year?
Closing Thoughts
Consider the following facilitation tips as you guide this exercise:
- Be optimistic and inclusive. Keep the focus on possibilities, not perfection. Encourage team members to dream big.
- Encourage visualization. Draw icons, use color, and invite participants to sketch their ideas or use pictures.
- Connect to action. Consider this exercise as a starting point for teamwork related to:
- Goal setting
- Project prioritization
- Core values clarification
- Strategic planning
- Financial and/or resource allocation