The fire won’t start without you
Noticing strangers hurriedly unpacking heavy gear and checking their watches by the reception area, a rush of adrenaline tells him a surprise fire drill is imminent. He quickly approaches them, hoping to catch them before the elevators shut down.
- Hi, can I speak with the officer commanding the drill, please?
- Hi, how did you learn about the drill?
- Let’s just say that I’m good at spotting unusual patterns.
- I see. In that case, how can I help you?
- My bus was hit with a calendar attack, and I’m running late.
- No worries. The fire won’t start without you. We still need to gear up.
- Excellent. I appreciate that.
- No problem, just keep it to yourself.
- I will.
As the elevator hums upward, he wonders what triggered today's drill. He barely slips through the conference room door with an apologetic nod to his boss when the lights flicker sharply, snapping awake those already drifting during the presentations. The emergency siren follows.
- Attention! Fire drill in progress. Evacuate immediately via the nearest exit. Avoid elevators. Stay calm.
Their external consultants, caught by surprise, seem undecided whether to be terrified or excited. He realises the consulting office is small and not fitted for mixed reality training. With practiced ease, he snaps the seal off the wall-mounted safety box, swiftly distributing the safety packets.
- There you go. Break the seal, put on the safety glasses, and breathe through this lil fella.
Outside the conference room’s glass walls, thick white smoke swirls around blinking emergency lights, transforming everyday surroundings into a convincing disaster zone. He opens the doors and points at his glasses, already lightening up with instructions.
- Follow the path on your overlay.
Once all the guests exit the room, he follows. The information overlayed in front of his eyes is a real-time evacuation map updating the safest evacuation route. Luckily, today's smoke, fire, and simulated structural hazards are realistic projection overlays. A firefighter in full gear emerges from the smoke at the staircase entrance, helmet lights piercing the haze. His voice crackles robotically from his helmet's integrated speaker.
- You’re doing great. Keep on moving. Follow the signs. Breathe lowly.
In the smoky haze, each step feels unfamiliar, slowing them down even in corridors they walk every day. After carefully navigating a few hazy turns, they reach the staircase, gripping the cold metal railings tightly as they descend.
- Hold on to the rail. Keep going.
Just before the blaring alarm becomes irritating, they take the final two flights of stairs and exit through the reception area. The lobby churns with swirling smoke, pulsing lights, and firefighters whose images multiply and flicker as the glasses seamlessly blend reality and simulation.
- Keep moving, folks. Follow the signs in front of your eyes.
After a brisk walk, they are finally outside, joining other groups at the evacuation meeting point. One of the approaching instructors overseeing the exercise passes, repeating through a loudspeaker.
- Thank you for your cooperation. Your safety certifications are now refreshed. The offices will be available again in 60 minutes.
The instructor points at the catering tent.
- Great job staying calm and focused. While you wait for your colleagues, treat yourself to a cup of coffee and grab a sandwich or a soft serve in the networking area. Thanks, everyone. You helped us maintain the highest safety standards.
One of the external consultants looks around the group.
- Coffee and ice cream? Can we schedule another drill for tomorrow?
They share a smile lining up for an ad hoc lunch break.
Hello Practical Futurists,
Welcome back from the future, where reality layers stack like browser tabs and safety protocols double as networking opportunities with complimentary ice cream.
Hit the "Like" button at the top or bottom of this page to help other strategic thinkers build a future-ready mindset.Great leaders don't just think about the future. They experience it.
Like elite athletes who vividly visualize their performance, exceptional leaders build detailed mental pictures of possible futures to inform better decisions today.
Each week, our imagination workouts combine futures thinking and practical sci-fi, helping you build a personal library of future memories. These vivid mental scenarios transform abstract possibilities into clear reference points, sharpening your strategic instincts and enhancing your readiness for the age of AI.
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Personal life reflection prompts
1. Would getting immediate feedback on your actions and decisions affect your motivation and behaviour?2. Which of your personal skills would you prefer to learn through immersive simulation rather than traditional learning methods?3. Think about using that immersive learning simulation to master a skill you've been avoiding: - What fear or barrier did the consequence-free environment help you overcome? - How did your learning pace in simulation compare to traditional methods you'd tried before? - What previously intimidating skill now feels natural after repeated safe practice?
4. Which 2 potentially tedious but necessary activities in your life you wish were reimagined as social or rewarding experiences?Fantastic work!
You're building an impressive collection of future-focused insights. Now, let's supercharge your thinking by adding powerful professional leadership moments.
How will you guide your team or organization through the future you've just envisioned? Let's create memorable leadership experiences together.
Professional life reflection prompts
1. How could your industry use personalised real-time instruction to improve performance in complex or high-pressure situations?2. Describe the first month your team started working with a real-time guidance overlay during complex tasks: - What knowledge transfer previously requiring senior staff time became automated? - How did the contextual information overlay change decision-making speed and quality? - What tasks that used to take hours became almost effortless with contextual information overlay? - What initial resistance faded once people experienced the new benefits firsthand?
3. What high-risk scenarios in your industry could benefit from immersive training approaches that simulate reality without creating actual danger?4. Think back to those high-risk scenarios your team now safely practices in an immersive simulation: - What dangerous situation can your team now confidently handle after repeated simulation practice? - How did experiencing failure safely in simulation change your team's approach to risk management? - What procedural improvements emerged after seeing how team members naturally responded in crisis scenarios?
6. Consider how "in the moment" certification and skill validation might replace traditional credential systems in your field.You did amazing! Excellent work!
Today's insights are valuable additions to your growing library of future experiences.
Thank you for expanding your imagination with us. Leaders with bold ideas move our world forward.
Think bright, and see you soon.
Pawel Halicki
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