Show Consequences

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Show Consequences

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INFLUENCE TACTICS

Show Consequences

Promote careful choices by showing how each decision has ripple effects.

What is it:

Show Consequences is a transformative approach that encourages individuals to foresee the long-term outcomes of their actions today. By visualising the future impact of decisions, it promotes a deeper understanding and appreciation for the cascading effects of our choices, steering towards more mindful and purposeful actions.

When to use it best:

How to use it:

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1. Pinpoint Key Decisions

   Identify decisions in your work, life, or projects with significant long-term consequences. Understand the nature of these impacts—positive, negative, or neutral.

   What are the major decisions that affect my audience's behaviour?

   How can I help them see the big picture impact of these decisions?

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2. Craft Future Scenarios

   Create detailed "what-if" narratives that vividly portray the potential outcomes of these decisions. Make these scenarios relatable and emotionally engaging to bring the future consequences to life.

   How can I use real-life examples to show what might happen if different choices are made?

   What stories can I tell to make these outcomes more understandable for everyone?

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3. Emotional Messaging

   Use clear, compelling language and visuals to convey the long-term impact of decisions. Emotionally resonant messaging can motivate a shift in behaviour by connecting the dots between today's actions and tomorrow's reality.

   Which emotions encourage people to think about their choices?

   How can I use simple and impactful words to connect their feelings to their decisions?

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4. Optimise Communication Channels

   Choose the most effective ways to share these insights, tailored to where your audience is most receptive. Whether through digital platforms, meetings, or social media, ensure your message is impactful and timely.

   Where does my audience spend most of their time getting information?

   How can I make sure my message is easy to understand and reaches them where they are?

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What’s the science behind it?

• Affective Forecasting

  Individuals predict their emotional reactions to future events. People often struggle with accurately forecasting their feelings and tend to overestimate the intensity and duration of their emotions. This mis-prediction can lead to poor decision-making, as individuals may not fully consider the long-term emotional consequences of their actions.
  The Show Consequences tactic works by addressing the limitations of affective forecasting. By providing a clear picture of the future consequences of actions, it helps people better understand the emotional outcomes, enabling them to make more informed choices and inspiring behaviour change.

• Time Inconsistency and Hyperbolic Discounting

  Time inconsistency refers to the preference reversal people exhibit when making choices involving immediate versus delayed rewards. Hyperbolic discounting is a behavioural model that captures this inconsistency. It posits that individuals place disproportionate weight on immediate rewards, often at the expense of their long-term well-being, and discount future rewards at a decreasing rate as the delay increases.
  The Show Consequences tactic works by counteracting these effects. By highlighting the long-term consequences of decisions, it helps people recognise the value of delayed rewards and encourages them to shift their focus from short-term gains to a more balanced, future-oriented perspective.

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