What will you be today? The dreamer, the realist or the critic?
This is a tool I use often in my coaching business, the Disney Strategy. Walt Disney’s team apparently used to ask him this question whenever he walked into a meeting. “Who are we seeing today, the dreamer, the realist or the critic? He would purposely look at a situation from different angles, ensuring that he didn’t miss out on anything. Keeping his team on their toes!
When we start a business, a project or just a simple task, we generally have a desire, a dream to be successful in achieving the best outcome. This can be exciting and motivates us to keep moving forward. However, without bringing in the other two points of view, the realist and the critic, we can very quickly be chasing down the wrong path.
In business, it is always good to see a task (no matter how big or small) through 3 equal lenses. Starting off with the dreamer state. What do you want to achieve? The sky is the limit. We often refer to these goals as Big and Hairy and Audacious, thanks to Jim Collins!
Unfortunately, this is where we need to pull in the reins. Some people can spend hours in the dreamer state, and then just start working on the goal without considering the other factors.
Once the goal or the BHAG has been established. Change the lens and think about how this goal can be achieved. Be the realist. This is always seen in a positive light. Looking for ways and opportunities to make things work. I like to think that the dreamer and the realist are having a conversation.
- “So, to achieve the dream, what do we need to do?”
- “Let’s be practical, let’s be realistic.”
- “Let’s map out the best steps.”
Once the realistic, actionable steps are developed through the realist lens, it is now the critics turn. This area is essential in every business. If you start off any project or task without looking at the risks, there is a higher risk of failure. We need the critic just as much as we need the dreamer and the realist. Every position plays their part in ensuring the goal is reached. It is just achieved from a different perspective.
The critic is there to “blow holes” in the plan. Get you to look at the risks that could negatively impact the plan. Doing this activity now in the planning phase is highly recommended. Rather find the weak spots now than half way through the implementation phase. At this stage the critic and the realist are having a conversation.
- “What happens if…?”
- “What about this?”
- “What is the back up?”
- “What is plan B?”
It must be pointed out that some people can get stuck in this critic stage. Overthinking the risk or being over-critical, which in turn prevents any movement.
The ideal situation is to have an even view from all three lenses. You are not spending too much time looking through one and not enough time through another.
Do you have a balance of these three lenses? Do you need to rein in one activity and give more attention and focus to another one? What would happen if you created a balance?
Be like Walt Disney, balance your lenses, see a goal from different angles. It may change how you see the world.
Nicole is a certified professional coach as well as a certified trainer, advanced assessor and coach mentor. Based in Auckland, she provides a range of coaching options, from individual business owner and management coaching, group and team coaching workshops to personal coaching. Her coaching practice is aligned to the ICF ethos and ethics. Need to hire a professional coach? Contact Nicole [email protected]
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