swap perspectives

objective:

encourage participants to consider different viewpoints by stepping into the shoes of various stakeholders affected by a real-world business decision.

instructions:

1. set the scene

   share the following prompt: “a company has opened a new corporate headquarters in your city. but to do this, it demolished a local community center that supported residents and small businesses. reactions have been mixed. we’re going to explore this decision from multiple perspectives. your job is to step into someone else’s shoes and consider their concerns, excitement, or dilemmas.”

2. distribute roles

   hand out one stakeholder role per participant (see list below). let them read silently and sit with the perspective.

3. small group discussion

   in trios or small groups, ask participants to reflect:

   1. what is your character feeling about the new headquarters?
   2. what are their hopes, fears, values, or questions?
   3. how would they describe the impact of this decision?
4. whole group debrief

   ask:

   1. “how did stepping into someone else’s shoes shift your view of the situation?”
   2. “did anyone find themselves empathizing with a view they normally disagree with?”
   3. “how can we bring this level of thinking into how we design or lead?”
5. optional twist:

   swap roles and repeat a mini-round of group discussion.

 

role cards (print or copy into slides):

ceo

“you’re proud of the company’s expansion—this new headquarters represents innovation, growth, and long-term success. you believe this move was necessary to stay competitive and offer better working conditions. you’re aware of some community backlash, but think the overall benefits outweigh the costs.”

local business owner

“you ran events and networked with other small entrepreneurs at the now-demolished community center. it was a vital space for your business and others like you. you’re frustrated that a valuable public space was removed without real consultation.”

employee

“you love the company and feel proud to work there. but the new location means a longer commute, and you’re unsure whether the company’s sustainability promises are still being prioritized with this rapid expansion.”

sustainability officer

“you’re responsible for keeping the company’s environmental practices strong, but the fast pace of expansion makes it hard. you’re feeling pressure to greenlight things quickly and worry about the long-term impact on your credibility and the planet.”

local resident

“you’ve lived near the community center for years. it was a place where your kids played, where neighbors gathered, where the community felt alive. now it’s a big building you didn’t ask for, and you’re worried it’ll increase traffic and make your neighborhood less affordable.”

tech investor

“you’re thrilled. the expansion signals growth and higher profits. you believe in the leadership and want them to move quickly and capitalize on this momentum. environmental concerns are valid but shouldn’t slow things down too much.”

city official

“you helped approve the new headquarters. you hoped it would bring jobs and prestige to the city—but you’re hearing from locals who feel displaced and ignored. you’re caught between growth and inclusion, and it’s weighing on you.”

environmental activist

“you’ve protested the headquarters project. to you, it represents another example of corporate greenwashing. the company says it’s sustainable, but they replaced public space with more concrete and energy use. you believe cities should prioritize nature and community.”