THE IMAGINATION GAP
We are going to need to use our imagination to solve the biggest problems facing our world. We know imagination is one of the most powerful tools we have. Kids use it. Many adults have lost it. This book will help all of us to recapture, use and apply our imagination the best way we can.
Aria Finger, CEO, DoSomething.org
Imagination is one of the greatest gifts we have - the ability to look at something one way and see it completely differently. And yet somehow in the transition to adulthood we often stop using our imagination. This book offers the encouragement and support we need to harness our collective imagination again and use it to change the world.
Rebecca Wainess, Director, Corporate Citizenship at Kenneth Cole Productions
We have more access to information than in any time in human history. Its tempting to look at all that information to model solutions for the future. In The Imagination Gap, Brian Reich challenges that, while we can learn from the past, we must IMAGINE new solutions for the future, we must take risks and find comfort in the fear of the unknown. This book will reprogram your mind to imagine and dream big again.
Ash Greyson, Founder & Chief Evangelist at Ribbow Media
Imagination is the next big thing, and Brian Reich has given imagination the attention it deserves. He explains why imagination is a critical to our success, in business, education, politics, media, and every other sector, and what it will take to harness our imagination as never before. Ignore this conversation at your own peril.
Malcolm Netburn, Chairman & CEO, CDS Global (a Hearst Company)
As kids, we are encouraged to have a big imagination. As we get older, we're told not to let our imagination get the best of us. In his new book, The Imagination Gap, Brian Reich challenges that notion by reminding us that we need our imagination to make sense of the world, and deal with the challenges we encounter. The stakes are too high to not use our imagination. Reich shows us when and how to unleash our imagination, encourages us all to dream bigger, and challenges us to use the power of imagination to change the world.
Kari Saratovsky, Principal, Third Plateau Social Impact Strategies
Every day, corporations, social entrepreneurs and nonprofits are doing innovative work to improve the lives of communities around the globe. In doing so, they are utilizing their imaginations and amplification powers to help create the kind of future we all want and deserve. We can all be part of this important work and we can do so by using and applying our own. Brian Reich has given imagination the attention it deserves and provides a well-thought out roadmap to help each of us harness our imagination as never before.
Susan McPherson - serial connector, cause marketer, angel investor, and corporate responsibility expert (also founder and CEO of McPherson Strategies)
Brian Reich shatters the construct that imagination is merely a creative thinking exercise by reimagining imagination itself for what it truly is: The most powerful tool at our disposal to address the challenges facing our society. In a deeply intellectual and accessible way, Reich explains why imagination is critical to our success -- in business, education, politics, and media and what it will take to help us all unlock the power of our imagination and change the world.
Darren Grubb, Former Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Commerce
No one in the social change sector is better equipped than Brian Reich to offer advice about how think differently about problems we face today. He gives us a method to explore new, big, ambitious ideas, develop new models and the techniques for stretching our imagination.
Beth Kanter, The Happy Healthy Nonprofit: Strategies for Impact without Burnot
The only way we will be able to truly advance the social causes and missions needed for our communities is to think differently about the challenges and solutions. Doing so can be incredibly intimidating. I hope Imagination Gap becomes a resource for community leaders of all kinds.
Amy Sample Ward, Executive Director of NTEN
THE IMAGINATION GAP
BY
BRIAN REICH
Private Management Consultant, USA
United Kingdom North America Japan
India Malaysia China
Emerald Publishing Limited
Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley BD16 1WA, UK
First edition 2017
Copyright 2017 Emerald Publishing Limited
Reprints and permissions service
Contact:
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without either the prior written permission of the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying issued in the UK by The Copyright Licensing Agency and in the USA by The Copyright Clearance Center. Any opinions expressed in the chapters are those of the authors. Whilst Emerald makes every effort to ensure the quality and accuracy of its content, Emerald makes no representation implied or otherwise, as to the chapters suitability and application and disclaims any warranties, express or implied, to their use.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-1-78714-207-7 (Print)
ISBN: 978-1-78714-206-0 (Online)
ISBN: 978-1-78714-306-7 (Epub)
Contents
About the Author
Brian Reich is a strategist and writer for executive leaders at global brands, media companies, startups, nonprofits, and political organizations. He is also an award-winning author, prominent writer, and keynote speaker. Brians research and views regarding the impact of media and technology on society have been published in the New York Times, Fast Company, Fortune, TechCrunch, Stanford Social Innovation Review, Vice, Wired, AdAge, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, and more. He has delivered analysis of digital, media, political, and other trends on NPR and Fox News and been an expert contributor for Fast Company as well. He is the author of two other books: Shift & Reset: Strategies for Addressing Serious Issues in a Connected Society and Media Rules! Mastering Todays Technology to Connect with and Keep Your Audience.
Introduction
The most powerful forces in shaping and motivating peoples behaviors and the shape of our society are all products of our imagination. However, even as the challenges and opportunities are greater than ever, we find ourselves using and applying our imagination less and less.
In my previous book, Media Rules!, I discussed the growing obsession with technology as a marketing and communications tool. The central argument was that three things information, experiences, and stuff have always driven peoples decision-making, and that would always be true no matter what advances unfold in media or technology. Information is what fuels how we learn and make sense of our world; experiences are how we interact and form personal connections; and stuff is stuff. Products. The things we keep and wear and drive and more. Regardless of platform, regardless of channel or tool, one or all of these three things will play a critical role when you try to motivate someone to understand an idea or take an action.
Next page