Prospection: A Teachable Superpower
Coaching has proven to be an incredibly powerful tool for unlocking and developing attributes we once thought were innate or fixed. We have a deeper understanding of our “superpowers” thanks to insights from neuroscience and cognitive science. The human brain is beautifully built, and we can continue to grow and improve.
Pragmatic prospection isn’t about sci-fi or reading into a crystal ball. It’s about envisioning future possibilities and working productively toward goals. It’s the art of imagining desirable outcomes, setting sensible goals, crafting plans, and executing them.
Prospection is a two-step process:
- Dream Big: This is the visionary, optimistic, and motivational phase. We imagine.
- Plan Pragmatically: Here, we get grounded and more realistic. We turn dreams into reality.
Gabriella Rosen Kellerman, MD, and Martin Seligman brilliantly explain in Tomorrowmind that prospection is a key advantage in today’s fast-changing business landscape. Coaches are uniquely positioned to help leaders develop this competency.
Only about 2% of leaders possess strong pragmatic prospection skills. But those who do tend to see better results in team agility, performance, innovation, risk-taking, and staff retention.
For the past decade, my mission has been to support talent development, helping teams thrive, succeed, and gain recognition for their contributions.
Imagine the impact if your leaders could enhance their ability to project and plan for the future. The potential for success is limitless.
