From Overload to Proactive Readiness: A Case Study in Facilitating Conversations to Support Strategic Scenario Planning

We recently had the privilege of facilitating conversation and interaction with a 40+ person cross-functional leadership team at Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA). The engagement began as the organization faced looming uncertainty with the U.S. election on the horizon.

The Challenge: Navigating Complexity and Tension

PPFA leadership team members were juggling the complexity of cross-team communication, collaboration, and a pressing need to unify their organizational readiness and scenario planning efforts. As one leader shared, "We needed a moment to pause for engagement (in the planning process)." 

Their goals were clear but complex:

  • Firm up and pressure test their public/external plans for multiple election outcomes.

  • Clarify decision-making and communication norms.

  • Foster collaboration and trust across the range of internal stakeholders representing unique bodies of work.

  • Prepare both emotionally and operationally for potential post-election crises.

What We Did to Create Space and Structure for Engagement

Facilitated a Series of Thoughtfully Designed Scenario Planning Sessions

We facilitated three full-day sessions over the course of six months, starting with emotional grounding and moving into structured ideation and planning. Participants were guided through:

  • Emotional intelligence exercises to address their own fear and uncertainty.

  • Circles of Influence and Control frameworks to clarify where action was possible.

  • Ideation and strategy sprints to generate ideas and prioritize initiatives.

Explored Cross-Functional Collaboration

We used methodologies like productive conflict modeling, explorations of stress and window of tolerance, and cross-functional fishbowl discussions. These created new levels of understanding and trust between historically siloed teams.

Focused on Alignment and Accountability

We established space for synthesis and decision-making to move beyond conversation and into planning for action.

The Results: Empowerment, Clarity, and Resilience

By the end of the sessions, the group had:

  • Aligned on key strategies for both election scenarios.

  • Created a shared language and understanding of organizational readiness.

  • Named tension points and modeled how to productively manage them.

  • Increased confidence in their collective post-election preparedness.

As one of the leaders reflected, "This process gave us the clarity and accountability we needed. We walked out with actionable plans and a stronger sense of community across the teams."

A Call to Impact-Driven Organizations

If your leadership team feels stuck in uncertainty or frozen by the daunting challenges ahead, we can help guide you through the fog. We specialize in creating the space to identify and land on the strategy and systems that allow your team to move from dread to collective action.

Let's explore how we can support your team or organization's next big moment of transformation.