What If You Were To Rule The World?

Beyond corporate resistance, stakeholder opposition, social scrutiny, and self-doubt is a world of possibility.

What if you were to rule the world?

This question won’t resonate with everyone, especially those already in positions of global influence, people who just don’t care about broader impact, or those feeling detached from possibilities beyond where they are now.

This detachment is expected, considering common reactions to ambitious goals or changes to the norm, like corporate resistance, stakeholder opposition, social scrutiny, and self-doubt.

Yet, the world desperately needs diverse leadership. And, a number of leaders, both emerging and established, want to make a bigger impact but find starting difficult.

One (thought) experiment at a time

Ruling the world doesn’t imply malevolence; rather, it’s about fostering progress where it’s most needed. Engaging in “what if” thought experiments can guide our ambitions towards targeted, impactful actions. For example:

• What if your influence ceases wars in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa?

• What if you invest in climate technologies that accelerate the move away from fossil fuels?

• What if you have introductions to facilitate global dialogue with world leaders to address major challenges?

• What if you possess the strategic intelligence to avert future socio-economic, environmental, and health risks threatening millions, or even billions?

• What if you lead an initiative that positively impacts global social inequality within the next five years?

Such scenarios invite us to think bigger and recognise the far-reaching consequences of operating from positions of responsible, elevated power and influence.

Turning ambitions into actions

In Exponential Organization corporate innovation sprints and workshops, the “what if” question is a common tool to expand our thinking. When we zoom-out, it’s easier to zero-in on the most effective action to take now, leveraging what we know, who we know, and how we work.

It’s not merely about imagining; it’s about realising the potential for significant, positive change through diverse and innovative leadership.

This approach encourages us not only to imagine a better world but to actively participate in its creation. In practice, it provides focus and clarity on what to do now, where to do it, and with whom to do it with.

Permissionless, autonomous, decentralised imagining

When you want more leadership in your world - personally, professionally, and across the globe, it’s common to encounter frustration due to a sense of limited or absent agency. Feeling powerless to effect change can be stifling.

Yet, it’s possible to start. Start by asking “what if?”

What if you were to rule the world?

I’d love to know.