Vision
Organizations and the people who work in them and direct them know what the organization is all about and what to do, right?
Think about it and the answer should be, many times, “Wrong!”
Immediate, day-to-day tasks and needed actions are often obvious. However, the longer-term goal and key decisions and more complex set of actions needed today and the direction to take to reach whatever the future goal is for the organization are not so obvious, especially when looking further into the future. The problem of “where to go” can be magnified when new people join the organization or the board and they do not share whatever the understanding might be of the “goal” that may already exist in the organization.
The result can be that the organization floats aimlessly like a sailboat without wind or a powerboat without fuel, or even goes off-course under the power of “decisions not made” or made without the needed direction firmly in mind. In this circumstance, the actions of the leader and others in the organization are more random and less focused, and the organization is inefficient.
The outcome is the organization loses its way, either in small ways that add up to sub-maximization and poor results, or in large ways that lead to hitting the rocks and failure.
What’s needed is an inspiring, compelling shared vision of what the future success of the organization can bring that all organizational participants share and by which they are guided.
The shared vision of the organization’s desired future, combined with the current reality of the organization, is essential for developing effective strategies and action steps.
A shared vision will offer a benchmark against which to judge the appropriateness of an on-going infinity of possible actions – implement one of many possible technologies, raise capital, downsize, invest in a new methodology, open an office, merge, introduce a product or service, abandon a market, launch an advertising campaign, focus on data security, give funds to a good cause, outsource, buy a competitor, etc., etc., etc.
A shared vision not only will drive and guide the organization, but it will increase the effectiveness of the organization in terms of productivity and more efficient decision making. The organization will be a more inspiring and fun place to work when a compelling future is being strived for.
Call on to facilitate the development of a powerful shared vision for your organization, as we have done for many organizations. Tap our Strategic Business LeaderTM service and our unique Fast Track Strategic Planning SystemTM to find a bright future for your organization.
