The Past, Present, Future method

This is a superb communication model to use at the start of conversations, for framing decisions, or where you need to get aligned and be on the same page.

It takes 1 minute:

1: Past

This is our purpose, this is why we were started, and this is the context we're now in. Begin with a "we exist" statement.

"We, the United Nations, exist to prevent a third world war. Our department exists to train staff to be good leaders as they work in the UN. Our goal has been for 5,000 staff to do 24 hours of training a year. Our department is now being downsized and relocated from New York to Bonn…"

2: Present

This is what we are deciding NOW. Use a "which means" statement to begin, and a "we need" statement to clarify what needs to happen.

"…which means our service capacity is going to be limited, other departments are facing a similar challenge of resizing and downsizing. We need to decide what services we maintain, and what we focus on, that is the most impactful at this time…"

3: Future

This is the "so that" — the outcome and impact we want to achieve.

"…so that staff members throughout the UN not only survive but thrive through this, like we did with the pandemic."

What's fascinating about this model is that people often DISAGREE on the past, present and future. So right away, you realise you're not as aligned as you thought you were — and the first job becomes: let's clarify this.