What If? The most powerful question in the English language

As we explore further how to reframe our mindsets as a way to open up possibilities, I’d like to focus on what I believe is a deceptively simple yet powerful phrase that may be one of the greatest tools of all – asking “What if?” with a positive lens.??

Why are these two words so powerful? They are not the improvisational principle of “Yes, and...” which, while effective in its own way, asks us to accept the situation in front of us before we build on it. They’re certainly not “No, but…” which draws a firm boundary and can admittedly be a bit off-putting.??

“What if?” instead enables us to imagine a world beyond our current reality, encouraging us, and others, to open our minds to a realm of new possibilities and pivot our thinking. In the context of problem-interrogation, let’s look at how we can effectively use these two words to create solutions full of possibility.????

“What if…” we accept new challenges???

Those who have read my other articles know that I often refer to the invaluable guidance of a mentor early in my career, who consistently encouraged me to take the more challenging path. While there are many rewards that come with this choice, doing so can often be full of “What ifs?” and not always the positive kind. What if I fail? What if I’m not good enough? Those “What ifs?” often mean that our fears and insecurities are getting the best of us. And it is precisely these times when we must reframe to reclaim.?

?“What if I fail?” becomes “What if I succeed?”??

“What if I’m not good enough” turns into “What if I exceed my own expectations?”?

By pushing ourselves to reframe these questions, we face these fears head-on. And by considering all possible scenarios that lie ahead through the power of “What if?” we can prepare for the risks we face (both real and imagined) and transform these thoughts into actions.??

“What if…” we approach this problem differently???

"What if?" can also act as the perfect reset button, allowing us to remove perceived roadblocks and consider new approaches that initially felt out of reach. By questioning conventional thinking and challenging existing assumptions we can better encourage a problem-obsessed mindset, allowing ourselves and our collaborators to interrogate the issues we face without limitation. For instance, by asking, "What if we removed the constraints we’re facing?" we can identify core elements of a problem, and in turn, approach the challenge in unconventional ways.??

"What if?" can become a powerful tool for leaders to enhance the agility of their teams. By giving teams the freedom to work in the ways they find most efficient, we can quickly navigate uncertainty, and foster a culture of innovation where people are encouraged to bring their boldest ideas to the table.??

Further, for up-and-coming leaders, “What if?” can be a tool to draw boundaries instead of outright responding “No.” By asking, “What if another team member started on that project?” or “What if I shifted these two priorities to complete your request on time?” we can grow people’s confidence while also forming more productive and agile teams.??

“What if…” we forge a new path???

The phrase "What if?" is both a tool for problem-interrogation and a fundamental component of discovery, which begins, like many things, with curiosity. This curiosity encourages each of us to persist even in the face of uncertainty, driven by our own unique passions and the promise of a brighter future.??

Allow me to share my own “What if” experience during a moment of great uncertainty, the pandemic. At the time, I was leading Takeda’s Plasma Derived Therapies (PDT) Business Unit, and we wanted to explore the use of convalescent plasma in treating COVID-19 patients. Knowing that we needed to acquire a significant amount of convalescent plasma to run a clinical trial in a short period of time, we asked ourselves, “What if we set aside our competitive differences with other plasma manufacturers to benefit patients with COVID?” As a result, we co-founded the CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance with CSL Behring to quickly acquire, manufacture and commence a clinical trial to research the use of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19.??

By pooling our resources, we were able to meet our goals for the clinical trial faster than we would have on our own. While we did not meet the primary endpoint for efficacy, our findings marked an important step in expanding our understanding of the use of convalescent plasma in COVID-19 treatments. Without asking ourselves “What if?” we would have never had the opportunity to prove that we are greater than the sum of our parts and that we can work together towards a common goal.????

"What if?" may be a simple phrase, but within it holds immense potential to unlock vast possibilities. It allows us to question our past and forge new paths forward, reminding us that the future can be shaped.??

I’d love to hear from you – how have you successfully used the power of “What if…?”??