The Challenge
Director of Communications (career depends on understanding narrative/perspective/motivations of powerful individuals): sought understanding of pivotal historical moment (atomic bomb decision) going far beyond books/documentaries. Needed comprehend clashing internal mindsets of key figures: politician (Truman), moralist-theorist (Einstein), creator-executor (Oppenheimer). Goal not information but wisdom.
The Approach
Stratona Boardroom® session unprecedented depth: not about contemporary business deal but modeling most consequential strategic decision of 20th century. Process: modeled Stratona® (strategic personas) of Harry S. Truman, Albert Einstein, J. Robert Oppenheimer, client engaged personas in simulated dialogue asking hard questions exploring moral + strategic conflicts real-time. Output: 57-page document (full transcript of conversation), critically included not only “spoken” dialogue but simulated “Unspoken Thoughts” of each historical figure providing view into core motivations/fears/strategic calculus.
The Results
Client reaction not academic appreciation but profound life-altering impact: “I am not able to breathe. Still crying. Still processing. Existencial. On every level. I will put it in my safe.” Simulation provided experience so visceral + insightful triggered fundamental cognitive + emotional recalibration, resulting document not report to file but personal asset to protect. ROI for investor/CEO not measured in single closed deal but permanent upgrade to own decision-making OS: (1) Mastery of perspective (rare ability holding multiple conflicting worldviews of single problem simultaneously = single most potent skill in M&A negotiation/boardroom battle/leadership challenge), (2) De-risking catastrophic error (experiencing human fallibility/egos/pressures driving historical figures = leader learns identify/avoid catastrophic character-driven mistakes that sink empires, ROI measured in disastrous deals avoided + fatal leadership traps sidestepped), (3) Ultimate “mental model” (flight simulator for modeling human mind, repeatable method understanding non-financial variables truly driving high-stakes outcomes).
The more efficient system wins. Always.