Create a compelling vision, one that takes people to a new place, and then translate that vision into a reality. ~ Warren Bennis
I’ve been writing about the value of leadership vision in my recent series of blog posts. Leadership vision is a testimony to core values, and it sets the tone for direction and company operations. An active and meaningful vision is initiated by the top leader with intentionality, diligence and effort.
In large organizations, vision will fade if a leader is its sole supporter. This is especially true when leaders fail to walk the talk. Success and the quest for personal gain, at any cost, can cause vision to be ignored or abandoned. Leadership vision is sustained when everyone believes it and collectively promotes it; when every employee becomes its ambassador.
Do you walk the talk? Your behaviors, attitudes and performance are under a microscope, and more often than not, contagious. The people you lead will be more compelled to nobly promote the cause when your character reflects a concern for others. Enthusiastic followers are voluntary promoters, often without realizing it.
When you recognize and reward those who demonstrate support of your vision through their efforts and actions, your vision multiplies. As Andy Stanley suggests in Making Vision Stick (Zondervan, 2007), celebrate achievements that reinforce the vision. Publicly recognize people when their accomplishments steer the organization closer to your vision’s reality.
Let people know that you expect them to make the vision their central focus. When each person is commissioned to fulfill the vision through clearly stated policies and practices, the seeds produce a bigger harvest. Consider using performance assessments to review people’s support for the vision in their work.
There’s no need for one’s vision to stall or die out. When you keep it fresh and alive, you can steer your organization toward accomplishing every goal.
What do you think? How are you translating your vision to reality? I’d love to hear from you. You can call me at 561-582-6060, let’s talk. And as always, I can be reached here or on LinkedIn.
