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What We're Reading: Imaginable by Jane McGonigal

In a rapidly changing world, professionals in change management and organizational development (OD) must stay ahead of the curve and be prepared for the unexpected. In Imaginable, renowned futurist Jane McGonigal explores how we can better anticipate the future and feel more prepared to navigate uncertainty. For those of us working in Southern California’s dynamic business environment, where innovation and disruption are the norm, McGonigal’s insights provide a roadmap for envisioning the future and leading through change.


Book Cover for Imaginable by Jane McGonigal

Overview

Imaginable teaches us how to cultivate “future thinking,” a skill McGonigal believes is essential for managing unexpected disruptions, like the COVID-19 pandemic or climate-related crises. She draws on her experience in gaming and foresight to help readers develop the ability to imagine multiple futures and approach them confidently. The book includes practical exercises, mental tools, and techniques for forecasting future trends and responding effectively.


Key Concepts

  1. Mental Time Travel: McGonigal encourages readers to engage in “mental time travel”—imagining yourself living through various future scenarios. You can better prepare for them emotionally and mentally by rehearsing possible futures. This concept is invaluable for change management professionals, as it helps us build resilience and agility when facing unknown outcomes.

  2. Signals of Change: The book introduces identifying “signals of change”—early indicators to help you anticipate future shifts. For change management professionals, spotting these signals within an organization or industry can offer the foresight necessary to lead effective change initiatives before disruptions occur.

  3. Urgent Optimism: McGonigal also advocates for “urgent optimism,” a mindset where you are aware of the challenges ahead but believe in your ability to solve them. This forward-thinking, solutions-based approach is crucial for organizational development practitioners looking to create cultures of adaptability and innovation.


Relevance to Change Management and OD Professionals

For Southern California change management and OD professionals, Imaginable provides valuable tools to help navigate our region’s fast-paced, ever-evolving industries. Here are a few ways this book can directly impact your work:


  1. Scenario Planning for Change Initiatives: McGonigal’s exercises in mental time travel can help professionals prepare for multiple future scenarios in their organizations. By working through different positive and negative outcomes, you can build more robust strategies for driving change, ensuring that your initiatives are adaptable and future-proof.

  2. Spotting Industry Shifts Early: The concept of “signals of change” is a vital tool for OD professionals, particularly in industries like tech, entertainment, or healthcare, which are prevalent in Southern California. Identifying early signs of shifts in employee behavior, market trends, or technology can help you act swiftly, whether to seize opportunities or mitigate risks.

  3. Building Resilience in Teams: In times of uncertainty, fostering a sense of “urgent optimism” within your teams can help them feel empowered rather than overwhelmed. Change management is often about assisting people to adapt to new circumstances, and this mindset can be an essential part of building resilient, future-ready teams.


Practical Applications

McGonigal offers several practical exercises that change management professionals can integrate into their work:


  • Futures Thinking Workshops: You can use the concepts in Imaginable to run workshops where employees and stakeholders explore potential futures and brainstorm responses. This can build a culture of readiness and creativity within your organization.

  • Signal-Spotting Sessions: Set regular sessions where your team identifies emerging signals in your industry or organization. Use these insights to shape strategy and prepare for possible changes.


Conclusion

Imaginable by Jane McGonigal is a timely and essential read for change management and OD professionals. In an inevitable era of disruption, McGonigal’s insights and practical tools offer a way to navigate uncertainty with confidence and creativity. Whether you are helping your organization plan for long-term strategic shifts or fostering a culture of resilience, this book provides the framework for embracing change and staying ready for whatever the future holds.


For professionals in Southern California, where innovation is fast-paced and diverse industries are constantly evolving, Imaginable offers the mental tools to foresee and thrive in change.

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