Introduction

Building Community & Embracing Diversity

The Art of Compassionate Communication

Facilitation Skills: Decision Making & Conflict Resolution

Personal Empowerment & Leadership Skills

Celebrating Life:
Art & Creativity

Techniques to Create a Common Vision

There are different techniques fro creating a common vision. The Futures History method we present here is a simplified version of the method developed by Warren Ziegler of the Futures Invention Associates. Participants need drawing materials and space to work in. The exercise may last from a few hours to several days, depending on the group and their level of maturity.

With this method, a move towards a consensus vision can be made. A small group takes the posters prepared in Step 3 and works through them to spot the common ground. Ideally this group will have sustainable systems design skills and will be able to draw up a set of proposals for achieving many elements of the collective vision. The larger group will meet again later to view these proposals and to split into working groups to action them.

Futures History

• Step 1. Imagine and draw something of your vision for your project 10-20 years later.
• Step 2. Join with others in a small group of 3-4 people, to listen and look at each others thoughts for your future. Do this one at a time, equal time for everybody, then feedback something you like about each others work and something that you have learnt.
• Step 3. In your group take time to develop a new vision using the fresh perspectives and insights you have gained. Create a poster to illustrate the essentials of your vision, with all common elements in the centre and main discrepancies on a side.
• Step 4. Post your collective vision on the wall for gallery time in which you and others may ask each other questions. Feedback something you like about their work to each person you speak with. Notice which are common elements you agree with, and which are your main discrepancies.
• Step 5. Create a final poster that gathers all common elements in a new vision. Make a list with the main discrepancies that came up during this process. Dedicate some time to discuss your discrepancies and look for agreements or possible ways to address them.
• Step 6. Spend time in pairs working on finding the next achievable step towards your vision. Create a future history by imaging yourself actually in the future vision now. From that position ask yourself, how did this come about? How did it happen? Take time telling each other the story, take notes for each other and prompt your partner to a positive, personal, action plan for initiatives to do soon.
• Step 7. Each person images being engaged in that action, by seeing the sights, sounds, and feelings to ground it. Do this one at a time, taking equal time.

• Vision, Mission and Goals
• Examples of Vision Statements
• Techniques to Create a Common Vision
• Assesing your Vision Documents

Source: Infinite Futures

The International Institute of Facilitation and Change, IIFAC, proposes this beautiful and practical experience of creating a Common Vision through the words and drawings from the participants.
Click on the image for more info