NLP: Imagineering

The term “imagineering” was introduced by Walt Disney to describe the process by which he “created the future”—dreaming and then turning those dreams into reality. A deep understanding of the imagineering process is reflected in the words of one of Disney’s employees: “…In fact, there were three different Walts: the dreamer, the realist, and the spoiler. You never knew which one would show up at a meeting.” Imagineering involves coordinating these three thinking styles: the “dreamer,” the “realist,” and the “critic,” each of which is a key component of a successful “inner game” for achieving future goals.

The “dreamer” without the “realist” cannot turn ideas into something tangible. The “critic” and the “dreamer” without the “realist” just get “stuck” in endless conflict. The “dreamer” and the “realist” can achieve real results, but their ideas won’t be good without the “critic.” The “critic” helps evaluate and improve creative products (when the “critic” is destructive, they are a “spoiler”; when constructive, they are an “advisor”).

Here’s a funny example: an entrepreneur who prided himself on his innovative thinking but couldn’t take on the role of “critic” or “realist.” People who worked at the company said, “He comes up with new ideas every minute… and some of them are good.”

• The “dreamer” without the “realist” and “critic” is just a “dreamer.”
• The “realist” without the “dreamer” and “critic” is a “robot.”
• The “critic” without the “dreamer” and “realist” is a “spoiler.”
• The “dreamer” and “realist” without the “critic” are like a research and development department—they create many prototypes, but lack quality standards for success.
• The “realist” and “critic” without the “dreamer” is “bureaucracy.”
• The “dreamer” and “critic” without the “realist” is a “rollercoaster” of mania and depression.

Effective innovation and problem-solving require a synthesis of all these processes or stages. The “dreamer” is needed to formulate new ideas and goals. The “realist” is needed to transform ideas into concrete reality. The “critic” is needed as a filter to refine ideas and prevent potential problems.

Key Cognitive and Physical Patterns of Each Thinking Style

The Dreamer

The “dreamer” stage is focused on the more distant future. It involves thinking in terms of the bigger picture to create new alternatives and options. At this stage, the emphasis is on representing and expanding the perception of a specific plan or idea. At its core, this stage is about generating the content of the plan or idea. According to Disney, the function of the “dreamer” is to “clearly see in your mind the place of every part of the enterprise [or project].” The dreamer’s tasks include formulating the goal in positive terms and establishing the meaning and benefits of the desired state.

To think like a “dreamer,” it’s helpful to keep your head up, look upward, and take a comfortable, symmetrical, and relaxed posture.

The Realist

The “realist’s” goal is to turn the dream into a feasible plan or product. As a “realist,” you should act “as if” the dream is possible and focus on the steps or actions needed to achieve it. Your attention should be primarily on “how” to implement the plan or idea.

The “realist” stage is more focused on moving toward the future, acting within a shorter time frame than the “dreamer.” The “realist” is often more focused on procedures or actions, especially on “how” to make the plan or idea happen.

To think like a “realist,” you should sit with your head straight, looking forward, in a symmetrical posture, leaning slightly forward. Your cognitive focus should be on actions, “as if” the dream is achievable, and on considering how to implement the idea or plan; it’s important to identify specific actions and outline short-term steps. It’s also helpful to put yourself in the shoes of others affected by the plan and look at it from multiple perspectives.

The Critic

The “critic” stage follows the “dreamer” and the “realist.” The “critic’s” goal is to evaluate the proposed plan or project and find potential problems and “missing links.” To be a successful “critic,” it’s important to take the perspectives of people who may influence (positively or negatively) the plan or project or depend on them, and to consider their needs and reactions. The main goal of the “critic” is to find possible problems and missing links in the specific plan or solution. The “critic’s” strategy is to help avoid problems by taking different perspectives and finding missing links, logically considering “what could happen if problems arise.”

“Critic” thinking involves an angular posture, with the gaze directed downward, the head lowered and slightly tilted to the side, and one hand touching the chin or face.