We think first about ourselves, and only then about the world.

Not that there is anything wrong with that, of course. But no, as soon as we have the choice we opt for something that has a more direct impact on our own little lives. We could end the famine in Yemen and the war in Syria. We could solve all the world’s health problems. But once the genie is out of the bottle, we all seem to develop instant amnesia. Everybody is always talking about the challenges facing the world and how we all need to contribute towards solving them. Just 5 per cent want to solve a major world problem as their first priority. The results of my real-life research were conclusive: roughly 95 per cent of people would choose something for themselves or for their family, friends or children. Something that solves one of the world’s major problems? Something for your family, friends or children? But no matter where I ask the question or who I ask it to, the answer for everyone is nearly always the same.Īnd you? What would it be, that first wish? People from every continent, every level of the management ladder and every age group, from sixteen to sixty. So what would you choose? What would be your first wish?ĭuring the past year, I have asked thousands of people this question during my presentations. Just imagine it! You find your lamp, you give it a quick rub and a genie appears with the wonderful news that you have three wishes. Other than that, you are free to fulfil any of the many dreams you might have, up to a maximum of three. And you cannot ask the genie to make someone fall in love with you or to bring someone back from the dead. You cannot ask for more than three wishes. What would you do if you had the good fortune to find a lamp like that? Before you let your enthusiasm run away with you, there are one or two rules you will need to observe. A genie appears from the lamp and promises to fulfil any three wishes that Aladdin might have. Aladdin finds a dirty old lamp and gives it a polish. If you haven’t seen it, the story is fairly easy to summarise. As a big Disney fan, I must confess that Aladdin is one of my favourite films.

I assume that most of you will know the story of Aladdin and his magic lamp.

Aladdin rub the lamp