A vison must be visible to have a powerful, lasting impact on your business.
I have recently been working with a business coaching client to help them articulate a vision that will set the sails of their business for a successful and prosperous future. As I have shared in the previous two posts, a vision can be described as powerful when:
(i) the achievement of it seems almost impossible
(ii) your team buys in to it and believe they can make it happen
(iii) it is visible around the office
(iv) the owner of the business is seen to be leading the charge
What does it mean to make that vision visible?
Many business owners often go to lavish expense and print posters of the vision, have them framed professionally and then mount them on the wall for all to see. That’s weak. That’s what you do with a trophy fish or deer. You don’t want your vision statement to become something people point at and admire, remembering the day they ‘killed’ it, do you? No, you want to bring life to your vision.
It is true that putting the vision on the wall is a good idea as long as it is not the only thing you do. My reason for being so in your face about this is I wanted to yank your chain a bit to shake you out of the idea that a framed vision is guaranteed for success. It’s not what visibility means.
The best way you can keep your vision visible and current with your team is to have a monthly vision meeting. This meeting is dedicated to the single focus of the vision, no business-as-usual or operational distractions! I know how very difficult this as to manage – the day to day operations of your business has a huge bearing on the future direction. They key for you as the leader, is to drive the discussion towards ideas that are not limited by the current situation. This way staff are encouraged to release themselves from their everyday limitation of resources, position or experience and have a free exploration of what could be possible.
If (and when) points arise that refer to current operations then you can “park” them on a list that can be addressed directly by the staff members who work in that department or carry that area of responsibility. They have the most knowledge and can most easily remove obstacles when they are empowered by the leader and inspired by the vision.
By keeping these meetings regular you are reminding the team that the vision is a future destination they are constantly walking towards. As I’ll discuss next time, they need you more than you think in this process.
