The Association Blog

Second in a five-part series based on Dan Heath’s keynote at The Annual Conference

In Part I of this 5-part series featuring insights from author and speaker Dan Heath, we explored the concept of finding leverage points. These small, strategic changes can jumpstart progress in even the most seemingly unfixable systems. Focusing on what works, instead of what’s broken, can be a powerful way to create change. In this post, we’ll share Heath’s second strategy…

Ask the miracle question.

A question that unlocks tangible change

In the book The Miracle Question, explained Heath, author, therapist and professor Linda Metcalf introduced the idea of asking a simple, imaginative question to uncover practical steps toward change.

Heath shared Metcalf’s example from couples therapy, in which clients Elaine and Felix were asked, “What would things look like if a miracle happened and your relationship was better? The couple began describing their ideal future: dancing, talking, sharing parenting duties, feeling appreciated. In doing so, they revealed small, tangible actions, such as Elaine looking up from her book when Felix comes home, that hold a powerful emotional weight and can spark change.

This technique isn’t just for therapy. It works in organizational settings, too. When teams are asked what visible signs would show they’ve achieved a goal, they surface real, actionable behaviors. Animal welfare leaders might ask:

What would things look like if a miracle happened and then someone who could no longer keep their pet came through your doors asking for help?

What would things look like if a miracle happened and you were always operating within your capacity for care?

What would things look like if a miracle happened and your employee turnover rate plummeted?

Turning aspirations into action

As Heath emphasized, asking the miracle question can help a team move from vague aspirations to clear, concrete leverage points. You may find the first of the small steps that lead to big transformation.

Have you ever experienced a “miracle moment?” Was there a time when a small shift in behavior or communication unlocked a major breakthrough for you or your team? What miracle question can you ask your team? Leave a comment below and tell us about it.