The last couple of weeks we've watched candidates for the Presidency attempt, before huge live and television crowds, to lay out their vision. They want our votes, they offer change and they use vision as a way to try and separate themselves from one another.
Vision needs to be an important part of your leadership. Vision is a picture. It's a picture of the future with implicit (or sometimes explicit) commentary on why people should strive (work hard or at least support you) to create that future.
Many times we leaders get so caught up in the drone of the mundane we forget the power of vision. So why should leaders always embrace vision? Here are my thoughts and I'd enjoy hearing yours:
So how do you get there? You start with clarity. People will always disagree on direction, or tactics. Or, they'll be confused. It's your job as a leader to clarify the direction of change and help your people understand the "why" behind the vision. With clarity of direction and an understanding of the why behind the direction the inability of people to make decisions disappears. One simple question — is this in line with our vision? — can help eliminate hours, and even months of endless discussion.
In the end, authoritarian decree and micromanagement serve only to reinforce the status quo. Vision is one of the most successful ways to break the barriers, align your people and move forward to growth.
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