By using this tactic you will create several different timelines.
A tactic for analysing your future paths.
Imagine this: by just reading this article, you're setting in motion several different timelines ⌚🕰️ - like in the worlds of 'Community' or the ‘Marvel multi-verse’, the decisions you make as you read through are crafting the narrative of your leadership journey and the future of your team.
Consider this tactic your guidebook from the future, similar to Biff's Almanac from 'Back to the Future'. Instead of sports scores, though, it's filled with insights and predictions for your team. Unfortunately, there’s no DeLorean time machine that can shortcut you.
This is about more than just predicting the future; it's about helping you forge a strategy that drives your team toward success. By understanding different potential outcomes, you're better equipped to lead your team effectively, and they’re given the context of why certain decisions are made.
Use this tactic to:
Get buy-in for initiatives 👍
Show purpose within a strategy 🖼️
Promote autonomous decisions 🧠🛟
I’ve included a Miro community template for this tactic below - it’s free!
The Tactic: Parallel Timelines
Alone or with your team, use a canvas to draw a timeline running from today (left) to a future time of your choosing (right); This represents your current path - the status quo.
Name the Now 📌
Individually or in groups answer the following questions about your current situation.
📒 Use sticky notes, group them together, and place them around “Now”.
Where are you at? (Minimum Viable Product, Mature Legacy System, Tech Debt, New Feature, Design Decision)
What is good about now, and why?
What is bad about now, and why?
Are there any significant notable events that led you to the now?
Picture the Perfect Future 🏆
Now picture that you’ve purposefully chosen to make a change for the better, what will be the perfect future outcome of this change? Draw another line and answer the following:
What is good about it, and why?
What makes this outcome significant?
How does it differ from now?
Why isn’t now already like this?
What other connected actions are needed to achieve this?
What knowledge and skills are required?
Depict the Darkest Timeline🔥
Now draw another line to represent an absolute disaster of a future, everything is a complete mess and fires are burning - this existence is pain. Answer the following:
Why is this the darkest timeline?
What is bad about it?
What are you trying to avoid?
What makes this future an unacceptable outcome?
Check if you’re already on the darkest timeline?😮
You will now have three parallel universes all stemming from today into the future. The worst-case scenario sits at the top and should be your number one priority to avoid at all costs. At the bottom we have your best future; this is where you want to be heading. What about the middle?
In the “Future” section on your current timeline. Answer the following questions:
What would be the result of inaction?
If we do nothing today, tomorrow, six months from now, what is most likely to happen?
Is the future acceptable without change?
If your answers are closely related to 🔥- then you need to make a change.
Should your answers be dissimilar to 🔥or more aligned with 🏆 then perform a test on resilience with additional timelines, or discuss events/choices that would be gamechanging.
Create Actions
Think about:
What actions can be taken today to set you on the right path?
Who can contribute, and how?
Are there further possible timelines to review, can you build resilience?
What significant events can alter this picture?
In Conclusion
Navigating the future with your team might not come with the thrill of a DeLorean time machine, but it's equally exciting to play out.
By exploring these different timelines – the good, the bad, and the status quo – you're not just daydreaming about what-ifs. You're actively preparing for various possibilities, equipping yourself with the foresight needed.
Remember, the power to shape your team's density lies in the decisions you make now. So get those sticky notes out, plot a course, and turn possibilities into a solid game plan.
One final note: