Visionary thinking is the driving force behind every great change and innovation. It’s what takes us from what we know to what we haven’t seen yet, but which we feel deep down is possible. It’s about reaching for the stars—imagining something that’s awesome, inspiring, and worthwhile—but also balancing the dream so that it doesn’t come across as pure fantasy or unattainable.
Creating a vision, however, is no easy task. It must be ambitious but not unrealistic, easy to understand but not trivial, and it must inspire engagement without losing credibility.
One shortcut to navigating this difficult balance is to start with a simple but powerful question: “What would have been awesome?”
Visionary Thinking: Aim High, but Not Too High
Visions that truly engage people are those that go beyond the obvious, but are not impossible. Think of Elon Musk and his vision to make humans an interplanetary species. It’s not an easy goal – it’s incredibly difficult, in fact – but it’s not a fantasy. It takes a leap forward in what we know about space exploration today, but it’s shooting towards a future that no one has yet achieved.
If the vision had been to “send a human to Mars to take a photo,” it would have been too trivial. If it had been to “colonize the entire galaxy in five years,” it would have been pure science fiction. But to create a sustainable presence on Mars? That’s exactly the kind of vision that inspires and feels possible.
So how can we think just as visionarily in our own projects and organizations? By asking ourselves the question: “What would be cool?”
“What would have been cool?” – A shortcut to visionary thinking
This question is powerful for several reasons:
- It’s easy to understand. Everyone knows what “cool” means – it’s something that inspires wonder and inspiration.
- It sets the bar high. What you envision shouldn’t be trivial, but something that really makes people think: Wow, I want to be a part of that.
- It evokes emotions. If you think something is cool, chances are that others will too.
An example is Google’s work on self-driving cars. Their vision: “A world where all cars drive themselves and we eliminate traffic accidents.” It’s cool because it changes the entire playing field for transportation and safety. It would have been easy to say “we’re going to create better cruise control,” but that would never have captured the same commitment.
What makes a vision cool?
For a vision to be cool, it must have certain characteristics:
- It builds on what we already know, but aims further. It must feel rooted in reality, even if it takes us to new heights.
- It must be easy to understand. The vision must be able to be conveyed in a sentence that makes others nod and think: Yes, I want to see that happen too.
- It creates commitment. If you think it’s cool, you can pass that enthusiasm on to others.
A classic example is JFK’s 1961 vision: “We will put a man on the moon and return him safely to the earth before the end of the decade.” It was bold and difficult, but it wasn’t impossible. It inspired a generation of engineers and scientists to work toward a common goal—and it was achieved.
Visions Get Backlash—Why That’s Okay
All great visions get criticized at first. When the idea of electricity, airplanes, or the internet was first introduced, they were often called ridiculous or impossible. But the visionary leaders behind these ideas were persistent. They knew that if something is cool enough, people will eventually buy into the dream.
Jeff Bezos, when he launched Amazon, was told that an online bookstore was an unnecessary idea. His vision of building “the world’s most customer-centric company” sounded abstract, but by sticking to it, he managed to build an empire that changed the way we do business.
The Method: Use “Awesome” as a Compass
To create a vision that drives innovation, you can use the following method:
- Ask the question: What would be awesome? Write down your spontaneous thoughts, no matter how crazy they seem.
- Test the idea against reality: Is it possible to achieve within a reasonable time frame? If not, how can you adjust the vision so that it still feels awesome, but more possible?
- Simplify: Can you explain the vision to someone in 30 seconds? If not, work on stripping away the complexity.
- Engage others: When you share the vision, do you see people getting inspired? If you are passionate about it yourself, others will feel it too.
- Be persistent: When you face resistance, remember why you think it’s awesome. It’s that passion that will help you win in the long run.
Coolness drives innovation
Visionary thinking requires courage, perseverance, and the ability to balance the possible with the inspiring. By asking the question, “What would be cool?” you can find a vision that engages not only yourself, but also those around you. It’s a shortcut to creating goals that are bold, inspiring, and achievable—a method to turn ideas into reality.
So the next time you want to think visionarily, start with this simple but powerful question: What would be awesome? It could be the start of something big.
