The Miracle Question: A Simple but Powerful Tool for Organizational Change

Turning vision into action

When organizations talk about change, efficiency, or improvement, the conversation often gets stuck in what’s wrong:

• “Our processes are too slow.”

• “Collaboration is broken.”

• “We spend more time in meetings than doing real work.”

Focusing only on problems can be exhausting. People lose motivation, and teams struggle to see the path forward.

This is where the Miracle Question comes in. Originally developed in therapy (Solution-Focused Brief Therapy), it’s a deceptively simple but powerful tool for shifting perspective, from what’s broken to what’s possible.

What is the Miracle Question?

The classic version goes like this:

"Suppose tonight, while you are asleep, a miracle happens. The miracle is that the problem that brought you here is solved. But since you were asleep, you don’t know the miracle has happened. Tomorrow morning, what will be the first signs that tell you the miracle has happened? What will be different?"

In therapy, this helps people move from problem-thinking to solution-visioning.

In organizations, it works the same way: it helps teams imagine success, define what “better” looks like in concrete terms, and create energy for change.

Why use it in change projects?

When applied in a business or organizational context, the miracle question:

• Shifts focus from fixing problems to designing solutions.

• Aligns stakeholders around a shared picture of success.

• Clarifies success criteria in observable, tangible ways.

• Builds motivation by showing that change is not only possible but desirable.

Instead of abstract goals like “improve efficiency,” teams start talking about practical signs of improvement:

• “Meetings start and end on time.”

• “We have clear priorities instead of juggling ten at once.”

• “Information flows without chasing people.”

• “Customers get answers faster.”

That’s when the abstract vision becomes something concrete and actionable.

How to Use It: A Workshop Format

Here’s a step-by-step exercise you can run in your organization to apply the Miracle Question in practice.

Step 1 – Set the Stage (5 min)

Frame the session positively:

“We’re not here to complain about what’s broken. We’re here to imagine how things could look if our challenges were already solved.”

Step 2 – Ask the Miracle Question (10 min)

Adapted version for organizations:

“Suppose tonight, a miracle happens. All the issues that slow us down or block our collaboration are solved. Tomorrow morning, when we come to work, what’s the very first thing we notice that tells us this miracle happened? What will be different in how we work, collaborate, and deliver value?”

Everyone reflects silently and writes down 3–5 observable changes.

Step 3 – Share in Pairs (10 min)

Participants share their answers with a partner, focusing on specific, concrete behaviors.

Step 4 – Group Harvest (20–30 min)

Bring answers together on a board or wall. Cluster them under themes like:

• Collaboration & teamwork

• Processes & efficiency

• Customer experience

• Leadership & culture

Look for overlaps → these are shared priorities.

Step 5 – From Vision to Action (20–25 min)

For each theme, ask:

1. “What’s one small step we could take tomorrow that would move us closer to this miracle?”

2. “What existing strengths can we build on to make this happen?”

Capture actions and owners.

Step 6 – Closing (5 min)

End with commitment:

“This isn’t about waiting for a miracle. It’s about creating it step by step.”

Why this works

This exercise works because it:

• Creates hope and energy (instead of problem fatigue).

• Surfaces a shared vision of success.

• Makes the vision practical and actionable.

• Helps teams see that they already have the capacity to create change, no miracle required.

The next time your organization is stuck in problem-talk, try asking the miracle question. You may be surprised at how quickly it unlocks clarity, alignment, and motivation for change.

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