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Overview
Video Run Time: 10:
Facilitation Time: 1hr 20m
In this immersive simulation, participants step into the role of Pawar Popatrao Bhaguji, a young leader who leaves behind a promising career to rebuild his drought-stricken ancestral village, Hiware Bazar, Maharashtra. Despite early signs of revival through community-led efforts, Pawar faces resistance from villagers who doubt meaningful change can happen and remain stuck in old ways.
Participants must navigate real emotional struggles, ethical decisions, and leadership challenges as they rally a skeptical community. Through difficult conversations, shifting deep-seated beliefs, and handling political pressures from outside influences, they experience firsthand the complexities of leading community-driven transformation from despair toward hope.
Appreciative Leadership is a form of leadership that applies Appreciative Intelligence ® to unlock creativity, hope, and resilience within teams and organizations. Rather than relying solely on authority or expertise, Appreciative Leadership encourages active participation, mutual respect, and optimism. By recognizing strengths and possibilities instead of focusing on problems, leaders build trust, promote psychological safety, and create a culture where innovation and meaningful engagement can thrive.
Facilitation
Part 1
In this scene, Pawar faces a group of villagers who are weighed down by past failures and deep doubt. Shankar is bitter from years of hardship, convinced that nothing new can change the fate of the land. Ramesh and Anil worry about practical outcomes and quick fixes, while Geeta clings to a small hope for change. Pawar must now invite them to see that the past does not limit the future and that change is possible even when the odds seem against them.
Starter Question:
If you were Pawar, what assumptions would you be making about Shankar and the others’ resistance to new ideas? How would those assumptions affect how you engage with them?
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Follow-up Questions:​
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If you were in Pawar’s position, and you were faced with people who have experienced past failures, how would you address their fears and invite them to entertain new approaches?
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What would you do if you were Pawar and faced with a deeply skeptical community that believes change is impossible based on their past experiences?
Part 2
In this scene, Pawar faces doubts about his plans to use trenches and trees to bring change. Vikram mocks the idea by citing past failures, while Anil worries about the slow progress and lack of skills among the villagers. Ramesh suggests hiring outsiders, believing that experts would work faster and better. Geeta stands by Pawar, holding on to hope that learning and working together can bring change. Pawar must balance innovative ideas with the everyday limits of village life.
Starter Question:
What worries do you feel when new ideas clash with familiar ways of doing things?
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Follow-up Questions:
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If you were Pawar, and Vikram and Anil were questioning your approach, how would you handle their reluctance to try a creative but untested solution?
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What would you do in Pawar’s position if you didn’t have the technical expertise or resources for your plan, and others doubted your ability to succeed? How would you continue to push forward creatively?
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If you were Pawar, how would you build trust in your creative solutions, knowing that your community lacks traditional expertise and resources?
Part 3
In this scene, villagers meet in a dimly lit hall to talk about their fears as the rain fails to come. Shankar and Ramesh express deep worries that all the hard work might be wasted, while Anil and Geeta show both frustration and a small hope that things might still turn around. Pawar must find a way to keep hope alive despite the rising anxiety and uncertainty.
Starter Question:
What feelings do you notice in the villagers as they face the unknown, and how do those feelings affect their belief in change?
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Follow-up Questions:
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If you were Pawar and faced with uncertainty about whether your efforts would succeed, what emotional or psychological barriers might hold you back? How would you address them?
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As Pawar, how would you keep moving forward with a long-term solution, knowing that the villagers are anxious for guarantees and immediate results?
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What would you do if you were in Pawar’s shoes, facing resistance from people who are afraid of uncertainty? How would you lead them through such an unpredictable situation?
Part 4
In this scene, the villagers’ hope is fading as weeks pass without any rain. Shankar and Anil show their frustration and fear that all their efforts might be wasted. Even though some, like Geeta, hold on to a small hope that things could still change, the mood is low and doubts grow louder. Vikram’s cynical view adds to the sense of urgency, leaving Pawar with the tough task of rallying the community when faith is at its lowest.
Starter Question:
How do you feel when hope starts to fade, and what keeps you moving forward when results aren’t immediate?
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Follow-up Questions:
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What would you do if you were Pawar, and the results of your efforts weren’t immediate? How would you stay resilient in the face of disappointment and rising frustration from the community?
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As Pawar, how would you respond to people like Anil and Shankar who are losing hope and want to give up? How would you help them stay committed to the long-term goal?
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If you were Pawar and people were questioning the entire project because of delays and setbacks, how would you maintain your own motivation and inspire resilience in others?
Part 5
In this final scene, Pawar stands before the villagers at the Panchayat office. With papers and maps spread out, he faces tough questions about whether the village can move forward without outside help. Ramesh and Vikram worry about money, red tape, and the lack of support once the government stops funding the project. Shankar doubts that the village can change after so many years, while Geeta holds on to hope, questioning if giving up now would waste all their hard work. Pawar must show that the village can build a future on its own.
Starter Question:
How do you feel when you must step up with more responsibility and fewer safety nets?
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Follow-up Questions:
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If you were Pawar and had to assess the community’s strengths and limitations, how would you use that awareness to shape your decisions? What would you do if you discovered unexpected obstacles?
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As Pawar, how would you maintain your belief in the village’s ability to succeed, even when key stakeholders like Ramesh are questioning your capacity to follow through?
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What would you do if you were Pawar, knowing that both internal challenges and external red tape could undermine the village’s progress? How would you stay focused on building self-efficacy in the community despite these barriers?
Part 6
In the narrator’s conclusion, Hiware Bazar’s amazing turnaround is shared. Against many odds, the villagers, led by Pawar, changed their future. The water table dropped from deep to shallow levels, crops began to grow all year, and milk production surged. Families started returning from cities, and poverty disappeared. The village even saw the rise of many new millionaires. This story shows that when a community works together and cares for its environment, real change happens.
Starter Question:
When things seem impossible, how do you find the strength to keep going?
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Follow-up Questions:
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How can the story of this village inspire you to take control of your own challenges?
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How can turning setbacks into opportunities boost our faith in new ideas?
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What does Hiware Bazar’s success tell us about the power of working together?
Purpose
This simulation is designed to help participants explore leadership dynamics, community engagement, and ethical decision-making within the context of leading societal impact through the application of Appreciative Intelligence ®. Participants will experience firsthand the complexities of leading a community through uncertainty, skepticism, and resistance to change, and will be guided to reflect on their own leadership approaches, emotional responses, and decision-making processes. Key concepts explored in this simulation include:
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Reframing Perspective: How leaders can shift a community's mindset from seeing limitations to recognizing potential.
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Creative Problem-Solving: The need for innovation in resource-constrained environments and how to foster trust in creative solutions.
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Embracing Uncertainty: Confronting fears and anxieties about uncertain outcomes, and how to lead through ambiguity.
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Resilience: Navigating long-term challenges in the face of short-term setbacks, and inspiring others to persist.
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Situational Awareness and Self-Efficacy: Understanding the limitations and strengths of a community while maintaining belief in the ability to drive change from within.
Debrief
Following this simulation it is essential to create space for participants to process their experiences and connect their insights to the foundational principles of Appreciative Leadership. The debrief will help participants link the scenarios they navigated with the key concepts of Leadership and Appreciative Intelligence.
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Reframing Perspective
Pawar’s ability to shift the village’s mindset from despair to hope in Scene 1 illustrates the core of reframing perspective. By focusing on the potential of trenching and afforestation, rather than the history of failure, Pawar demonstrates how leaders can help communities see beyond their limitations.
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Debrief Reflection:
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How did Pawar’s shift from a history of failures to the possibility of change impact the villagers’ willingness to try something new?
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Think of a time when you changed the way you saw a problem. How did that new view open up new solutions for you?
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In the simulation, what signs showed that looking at challenges differently could spark hope and action?
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How can you help others see potential in tough situations instead of only focusing on past disappointments?
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What practical steps can you take to reframe a hard issue into a chance for growth?
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Creative Problem Solving
In Scene 2, Pawar navigates a difficult conversation with Vikram and Anil, who question the practicality of his methods. The scenario highlights the importance of trusting in creative solutions, even when resources are limited. Participants can reflect on how innovative approaches—like leveraging local labor for trenching—can replace traditional, resource-heavy methods.
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Debrief Reflection:
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How did Pawar’s use of local skills in trenching challenge the belief that only expensive solutions work?
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Can you recall a time when you solved a problem with an unconventional method? What did you learn from that experience?
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What does the conversation with Vikram and Anil teach us about trusting creative ideas, even when they seem risky?
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How might you use limited resources in new ways to tackle everyday challenges?
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In what ways can creative problem-solving lead to lasting change, even in tough conditions?
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Embracing Uncertainty
Scene 3 brings the uncertainty of the monsoon rains into focus. As the villagers grow anxious, Pawar must remain steadfast, embracing the unknown while continuing to believe in his solution. This reflects the need for leaders to be comfortable with ambiguity and to inspire others to persist despite uncertain outcomes.
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Debrief Reflection:
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How did Pawar’s calm approach to uncertainty help the villagers deal with their fear of the unknown?
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Think of a time when you moved forward without knowing the outcome. How did embracing that uncertainty change your actions?
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What does Pawar’s belief in his plan, despite the lack of immediate results, teach us about handling ambiguity?
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In what ways can accepting uncertainty inspire others to keep trying even when things aren’t clear?
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How might you stay confident in your decisions when the results are not guaranteed?
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Resilience
The dialogue in Scene 4 captures the exhaustion and frustration of the villagers after weeks without rain. Pawar’s challenge is to maintain morale and encourage continued effort. Participants will explore how resilience, both in leadership and within a community, is critical to achieving long-term success, especially in the face of short-term setbacks.
Debrief Reflection:
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How did the villagers' fatigue and frustration in Scene 4 show the need for resilience during tough times?
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Think of a moment when you felt worn out by setbacks. What kept you going, and how did that experience change you?
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In what ways did Pawar's persistence help restore hope despite repeated disappointments?
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How can you build resilience in your team or community when facing long-term challenges?
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What strategies might you use to keep morale high when immediate results are hard to see?
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Situational Awareness and Self Efficacy
In the final scene, Pawar faces skepticism from key stakeholders, including Ramesh and Vikram, about the sustainability of the project. This moment underscores the importance of understanding both the limitations and potential of the community, and how building self-efficacy can empower the village to move forward independently. Leaders must know when to step back and allow the community to take ownership of its future.
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Debrief Reflection:
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How did the doubts from Ramesh and Vikram in the final scene show the need to understand both the strengths and limits of the community?
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Think of a time when recognizing your own or your group's potential made a difference. How did that boost your confidence to take charge?
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What lessons can we learn from Pawar about knowing when to step back and let others lead their own change?
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In what ways does understanding your environment help you build trust in your ability to shape your own future?
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How can you encourage others to see their own power and take ownership of challenges in their lives?
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Conclusion and Next Steps
The debrief concludes by encouraging participants to consider how they can integrate the insights from this simulation into their own practice as consultants, leaders, or organizational change agents. The facilitator should emphasize that Appreciative Leadership is an ongoing journey of learning, awareness, and growth, and that the real work begins with deep reflection and commitment to each of the characteristics explored above.
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Final Reflection Questions:
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What key insights have you gained from this simulation that you can apply in your work?
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How can you continue to cultivate Appreciative Intelligence in your leadership or consulting practice?
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What actions will you take to foster possibility thinking within your organization?
Resources
Email Invite
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Syllabus Snippet
Introduce the theoretical and practical benefits of this experiential learning tool. Copy, paste, and edit the following description into your course syllabus or workshop description.
Certified Facilitators​
Tojo Thatchenkery
Nupur Bhatt
Appreciative Intelligence Scale
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