Some sample conversations to encourage future leaders

Conversation 1: Who are we?

Start with stating your intention for the six-month experiment, i.e., “I want to support you all in developing your vision, your voice. I want to learn from you. I want us all to learn from each other.” Then, have each person check in with an answer to a question like, “What is your intention in participating in this experiment? What do you hope to get out of it and what do you plan to contribute? Next, ask each person to share a story about a time they faced an extremely challenging situation in which they didn’t know if they would succeed or not, but they did. This will help everyone to get to know, and build confidence and trust in, each other. And it will build your confidence in them. End by asking each person to ask themselves, “How am I feeling?” And “What was something I learned today?”

Conversation 2: What do we believe the future looks like?

State your intention: “I want to hear what your assumptions are about the future.” Have each answer a question such as: “What is a trend I see for which I feel we are wholly unprepared? One that I see that gives me hope?” Remind them that no one can predict the future, thus there are no wrong answers. Ask: “How do you imagine the future could unfold? What are positive and negative things you imagine could happen? Why. What gives you hope? What fills you with despair?” Then ask, “Where do you each think you can make a difference and why?” End by once again asking each person to ask themselves: “How am I feeling?” And “What was something I learned today?”