diverge · Ideation, Strategy, Visioning · 60–90 min · 4-40 people · medium energy

Cover Story

Cover Story is a visioning exercise that encourages participants to imagine a wildly successful future for their organization, as if it were the subject of a major magazine cover story. This method helps teams think expansively and collaboratively about aspirational goals, fostering a shared sense of purpose and possibility.

When to use Cover Story

Use this method when you need to generate excitement and alignment around a future vision, especially when the team is stuck in incremental thinking or needs a creative boost to explore new possibilities.

What it solves

Lack of creative ideas, difficulty envisioning a compelling future, limited strategic thinking

How to run Cover Story, step by step

  1. Prepare large templates with sections for "Cover," "Headlines," "Sidebars," "Quotes," "Brainstorm," and "Images." Create enough templates for groups of 4-6 people. (15 minutes)
  2. Explain the game's objective: to envision the organization's best-case scenario as a magazine cover story. Define each section of the template. (10 minutes)
  3. Divide participants into groups of 4-6, providing each group with a template and markers. Instruct them to choose a scribe or collaborate directly on the template. (5 minutes)
  4. Ask each participant to individually imagine the organization's best-case scenario for 5 minutes. Then, have the group collaborate to create a unified "story of the year" on their template. (30-45 minutes)
  5. Reconvene the groups and have each group present their cover story to the larger group. (5-10 minutes per group)
  6. Facilitate a discussion to identify common vision themes, areas of agreement, and any concerns about the future state. (10 minutes)

Materials needed

  • Large-format templates (physical or digital)
  • Markers or digital drawing tools
  • Timer
  • Whiteboard or projector (for presentations)

Facilitator tips

  • Emphasize the use of the past tense when describing the future success.
  • Encourage participants to suspend disbelief and avoid overly pragmatic thinking.
  • Capture common themes and insights that emerge during the presentations.

Common pitfalls

  • Groups getting bogged down in analysis and losing sight of the creative vision. - Remind them to focus on the aspirational and avoid getting stuck in current realities.
  • Dominant voices overpowering quieter participants. - Encourage equal participation and use round-robin techniques if necessary.

Variations

  • Have participants create a short video trailer for their cover story instead of a static template.
  • Invite an external "reporter" (another facilitator or participant) to interview the groups about their cover stories.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared digital whiteboard like Miro or Mural to create the Cover Story template. Ensure all participants have access and can contribute simultaneously. Utilize breakout rooms for smaller group discussions and idea generation.

What it produces

A visual template representing the future success story, including headlines, sidebars, quotes, and supporting images.

Origin

Based on The Grove Consultants International’s Leaders Guide to Accompany the Cover Story Vision Graphic Guide® ©1996–2010 The Grove. — source

Build a session around Cover Story

METODIC places Cover Story inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.

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