Secondly, it enables these divergent groups of people to define, create and implement a plan for achieving a commonly desired future outcome. The techniques and style of the Future Search forum enables people to work together without having to defend or sell a particular agenda, and thus opens the doors for creative new approaches and opportunities to unite and achieve. What we hope is that within 6 to 9 months we have an articulated plan that we can begin to follow. A key element of the Future Search method is inviting people with a stake in the outcome. People that would not normally come together under ordinary circumstances.
Many hands make light work, and they bring better ideas to the table.
Another concept key to the success of Future Search is viewing the issues to be discussed with a global perspective. The group assembled for the Wells conference was large enough to include a wide range of perspectives and opinions, and yet small enough to allow the entire group to participate actively in the exchange of ideas. The entire process was creative, insightful and effective. Nothing was behind closed doors. Everything was on the table.