SixT60 Team: Permission to Be Bold: Encouraging “What If” Moments.

I’ve put the statement, ‘there’s no such thing as a stupid question’ to the test more than once in my career.?

We’ve all had out there ideas, we don't all share them. Maybe due to fear, or uncertainty that you’re on the right track. Whatever the reason, it’s important to create an environment that encourages people to have those ‘What if we could…?’, ‘Imagine if…’ moments. Often, it’s these seemingly leftfield thoughts that can lead to breakthroughs.

When a researcher at 3M accidentally created a weak adhesive, someone asked, “What if we find a way to use this ‘mistake’ in a different way?” The result was Post-it Notes. They could have been told to ‘stay focussed’, they could have been paralysed by yet another failure instead they asked a question that changed the business almost overnight.

James Dyson was told repeatedly that nobody wanted to see the dirt collected in their vacuum cleaner. But he insisted on the bin being transparent, asking, “What if we let people see the machine’s power in action?” This went against conventional thinking but allowed users to see the efficiency and effectiveness of the product in real-time. This small change helped Dyson stand out and grow to dominate the vacuum industry.

What Happens When You Enable ‘What Ifs…?’

1. Breakthrough Insights: Enabling counterintuitive ideas creates breakthroughs. Google’s “20% time” policy is testament to this. While it might seem inefficient, it spurred the creation of products like Gmail and Google Maps—products that now define the brand.
2. Cultural Resilience: Teams that can propose “out there” ideas, no matter how offbeat, are more resilient. They get used to exploring alternatives, asking “why not?” instead of just “why?” They’re less likely to get stuck or stay stuck and more likely to pivot quickly.
3. Increased Engagement: People thrive when they feel their voices matter. When team members know they can bring their full creative selves to the table, they’re more likely to stay engaged, curious, and willing to go the extra mile.

Encouraging out of the box thinking doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intentional effort to create a culture where this freedom is the norm. Who on your team will be the “Director of What-If?’ Who has permission to be that voice?

Ask yourself:

• Who has the green light to disrupt typical thinking?
• Who’s been empowered to question “the way things are”?
• Who in the team isn’t afraid to ask “what if we just…”?

None of this happens by accident. It takes effort and a team that feels safe to experiment.? Here are some ideas to get you started encouraging ‘what ifs’ and the psychological safety that enables them:?

1. Host a ‘What-If Hour’: Once a month, invite the team to share their wildest ideas. Emphasise that no judgement will be made. Encourage laughter, exaggeration, and radical concepts. Having a monthly meeting to feedback on ideas captured during the month means the topic is omnipresent without interfering with productivity.
2. Celebrate the ‘Bad Ideas’: Acknowledge and reward all ideas, especially those that may not “work.” Create a ‘The World Wasn’t Ready’ award that celebrates the courage to think differently.
3. Lead with Vulnerability: Share a time when you made a silly suggestion or asked a “stupid” question. By modelling openness, you set the tone that these suggestions are valued.
4. Use “Yes, and…” Thinking: Instead of shutting down ideas, train the team to use “yes, and…”—building on ideas without shooting them down prematurely. It creates a flow where ideas grow instead of getting stopped in their tracks.
5. Form a “No Limits” Brainstorm Group: Establish a small group specifically tasked with thinking of unconventional approaches to team or customer challenges. This is their space to think beyond limits without constraints.

Permission to Be Bold Means Permission to Thrive

Who on your team is brave enough to pitch the “What if” ideas? Ideally everyone.

Imagine what your team could achieve with the right support to nurture “What if” thinking.?

If you are interested in talking about your business and want to understand how we can help you encourage more ‘what if…’ moments get in touch.

Human is a People & Culture Consultancy that specialises in hiring, culture and productivity. We help build teams that are fearless, innovative, and equipped to push boundaries in ways that make a real difference. From hiring strategies to creating a culture that values bold thinking, we help you unlock the full potential of your people.