Harness
The Power of a Strong Vision
What is your
vision? How is this vision communicated to inspire you and your organisation?
You don’t have a clear and powerful vision? Join the club. When we’re working
with individuals, we’ve noticed that generally they fall into two distinct
categories regarding having a strong vision. Either they've never really
had the opportunity to understand the concept of having or defining their
vision. Or they have a vision statement because they think they ‘should’.
Remember, ‘shoulds’ represent other people’s expectations and therefore
not things to which you are personally committed
The one thing
we’ve noticed in our work is that very few individuals or organisations
really harness the power generated by a strong vision. Clear definition
of your vision acts as a magnet to pull you forward in the direction you
truly want to take. Your vision provides inspiration for you and, if communicated
well to your team or organisation, inspires them too.
What do you refer
to when you want to make decisions, when you have to decide which opportunities
to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to, or which direction to go with your business? When
you have a strong vision in place and refer to it regularly, it helps to
resolve the conflict which can occur within you.
Teams or organisations
who have a powerful vision, inspire individuals to pull together. It’s
so much easier for everyone when they all know clearly where they’re heading.
Many organisations
publish mission statements but often, these hold no real meaning for the
individuals within the organisation. A strong vision and a clear mission
statement go together like ’bread and butter’. The components of a mission
statement stem from having a clear vision to start the process. Individuals
and organisations can define their mission and purpose with more meaning
and clarity if they are provided with a powerful vision. A strong vision
challenges people to achieve more and encourages them to think 'out of
the box'. It inspires you and the people you work with.
Your vision is
unique to you and will vary from individual to individual. It propels you
forward naturally, rather than relying on motivation alone, which doesn’t
usually last. A vision helps to keep you on track and focused on where
you’re heading. What we want for you is a vision which grabs you so strongly
that it stretches you way beyond your current position. We’ve found that
with a strong vision there isn’t the need to strive so hard and the energy
required doesn't drain you so much. It allows you to focus on your achievements
in the present because a vision doesn’t have an end which you reach, like
a goal. The energy generated by a vision is much healthier and requires
less of a struggle. A vision draws on your natural energy which comes from
within you. When aligned with your values, a vision and a mission statement
feel truly yours and right for you. In short, a perfect fit.
If you have a
vision for your organisation, we encourage you to consider this. If 3 of
your top employees were asked to share your vision, would they be able
to? If not, what would it take to communicate this throughout the organisation?
What benefits do you see for your employees in clearly understanding your
vision?
Many times, people
say "I wish", but unfortunately wishing alone rarely makes things happen.
However, a strong vision can really accomplish a great deal, and often
more than you’d dared to dream of.
What we want
is for you to define a strong vision and a mission statement. Are you ready
to do this?
What do you want
to change or improve in your
personal and
professional life?
