The Power of a Shared Vision: A Guide for Leaders

A shared vision is not just an idea, it is a force that can move people to action and create positive change.

In the absence of a great dream, pettiness prevails.
Peter M. Senge

I will share some tips on how to create a shared vision that will energize your organization and help you achieve your goals.

• Start with the question: What do we want to create? This is the essence of a shared vision. Think big and bold, and don't limit yourself by what seems realistic or possible. Imagine the best possible future.
• Involve your team in the process. A shared vision is not something that you sell to others, but something that you co-create with them.
• Communicate your vision clearly and frequently. A shared vision is not something executives craft with a quill by a babbling brook. It is something that you communicate constantly and consistently. Remind your team of the vision at every opportunity.
• Align your actions with your vision. A shared vision is not something that you say, but something that you do. It is not enough to talk about your vision, you have to act on it.
• Keep your vision alive and flexible. A shared vision is not something that you set in stone, but something that you revisit and revise as needed. It is not a rigid plan, but a dynamic guide.

A shared vision is one of the key elements of a learning organization, according to Peter Senge, author of The Fifth Discipline. He writes:

When people truly share a vision they are connected, bound together by a common aspiration. Personal visions derive their power from an individual’s deep caring for the vision; shared visions derive their power from a common caring.

Need support in creating your own vision as a leader? I can help.