The activity is commonly run in 30–60 minutes and works well as an opening exercise for futures, strategy, or reflection sessions.

Use a shared 2×2 board where participants place their names or a dot based on two questions: how they feel about the future, and how much influence they believe people like them have to shape it. The vertical axis represents whether the future feels better or worse, and the horizontal axis represents lower to higher agency.

1. Prepare the board

Set up one shared slide or one Mural board with a large 2×2 matrix. Label the axes in a clear, simple way: top = “more hopeful / getting better,” bottom = “less hopeful / getting worse,” left = “less influence,” and right = “more influence.”

Create one movable marker for each participant using a sticky note, text box, or small shape with their name on it. Keep the board visually simple so people can focus on placement rather than design details. You can make a copy of this simple Google Slides board and invite people to move a dot to their desired quadrant.

2. Introduce the activity

Use this script:

“We’re going to do a quick mapping activity to surface how each of us is relating to the future right now.”
“This is not about right or wrong answers. It’s about noticing different assumptions, moods, and levels of agency in the group.”
“You’ll place your name on the grid based on two questions: first, whether you think the future is moving in a better or worse direction; second, how much influence you think people like you have to shape that future.”
Before people move, define the frame. For example: “Think about our field over the next five years,” or “Think about the world over the next ten years.” A shared timeframe helps people respond to the same question.

3. Invite placement

Use this script:

“First, place your name higher or lower on the board depending on how you’re feeling about the future in this timeframe.”
“Higher means you see the future trending better overall. Lower means you see it trending worse overall.”
“Then move left or right based on how much influence you think people like you have to shape that future.”
“Right means more influence. Left means less influence.” Give people a minute or two to place themselves silently. Once everyone is in position, pause before discussion so the group can take in the overall pattern.