The Gift of Missing Instructions: Leading Beyond Instructions in a Possible World
- Feb 4
- 3 min read
I have worked with some of the sharpest minds across the globe—engineers, CEOs, and PhDs. These are people wired for high performance. They are experts at navigating complex systems, optimising workflows, and, above all, following and creating precise instructions.
But in our Possible World sessions, I’ve noticed a fascinating pattern.
When the "how-to" for a Zoom screen or a game interface isn't immediately provided, these same highly functional people are often the first to feel a sense of friction. They ask:
"Where are the instructions? I feel like I'm falling behind."
My Personal Experiment: The Power of Trial and Error
As a host, I am constantly in a state of personal experimentation. I am testing a delicate balance:
How much friction is optimal for a transformative experience?
There is no "right answer" or manual for this. If I provide a perfect set of instructions, participants become efficient operators. They tick the boxes, master the tech, and leave unchanged. But if I leave a void—a deliberate Yohaku (blank space)—I invite them to possibly become catalysts who go beyond instructions.
I am looking for that "sweet spot" where the ego, if I may call it that, is slightly bruised by not knowing, but the spirit of inquiry is still thriving.
The Real Life Interpretation of the "Missing Instruction"
When you are used to being ahead, the feeling of being "behind" feels like a system failure. But in our workshop, it is a diagnostic tool for the mindset (or internal OS). It forces us to move through three layers of reflection:
What: The technical hurdle. You don’t have the "how-to."
How: Your strategy in the gap. Do you grumble in isolation, or do you reach out to a peer and co-create a solution? This is where you navigate the Ma—the space between people.
Why: The underlying belief. Why does "not knowing" feel like a threat to your identity?
The Darwin Spirit and the "Fair Go"
Living in Darwin for nearly 30 years, I’ve learned that when a cyclone hits or the power goes out, no one waits for an instruction manual. You check on your neighbour, you improvise, and you have a "fair go" at dealing with situations with no "right" answers together.
This spirit is the heartbeat of my work at P-Lab.
People often ask why I’m such a fan of online technology. The reason is simple: living in Darwin, I am geographically isolated from the rest of the world. Online sessions allow me to bridge that gap.
I remember one session vividly. It was a major international online event with a large number of participants from Europe. Just as we were about to begin, a cyclone warning was issued for Darwin. The risk of losing power was high. There was no "instruction manual" for delivering a global workshop during a tropical storm, so I consulted with my husband, and we found a solution: the airport. They have backup power.
I set up my "office" in a corner of the airport, only to find maintenance work starting right behind me. The noise was deafening. I explored (and exploited) every "hard" technical option to stay connected, but more importantly, I didn't forget to explore the "soft" human options.
I asked for help.
I brought a team on board to co-create the session with me. When the noise became too loud for me to provide useful input, the team carried on.
I had built the bridge, and they walked across it.
From Survival to Simulation - Beyond Instruction
In the face of global challenges like the SDGs, there are no instructions. The path is not marked. There are no "right" answers.
When I "miss" an instruction in a Possible World session, it may not be a mistake; it’s a practice ground for the real world. It is an invitation to stop looking for a pre-written map and start becoming a bridge-builder. It’s about moving
from "What do I do?" to "How do we move forward together?"
Because ultimately:
Every world is up to our Mindset and Actions. Possible World.
Join the Next Journey
Are you ready to dive into the chaos, explore your internal OS, and shift it?
Step into our next Discovery Session and experience the transformation firsthand.
Let's find out what becomes possible when the map and instructions disappear.
