Your vision informs your behavior. Otherwise you may default back to control and command versus influencing others toward something better. A great leader has a vision of something better than the current situation. Yes a leader can create disastrous visions. We have seen it in history. A great leader has a compelling vision and influences others to get there. Once the vision is established, a leader is driven to help others reach the preferred state.
If the vision is to be the “The safest and most fun airline in world” – the behaviors such as safety standards, process development, attitude and care become the standard not the exception. For most leaders, the default ‘vision’ is revenue generation or profit usually in that order. The problem is that revenue and profit are expected. So how do you surprise your people? You surprise them with a vision that encourages people to perform better, differently and to bring their heart and soul to the work. This is called by Stan Slap “Emotional Commitment” Emotional commitment means that you will spend the extra hour on the work versus heading home for the night with just ok work. It is the difference between market competitive and market dominance.
Reflecting on your vision keeps the leader from emotional reactivity and distress. Emotional reaction occurs when the leader moves to problem solving mode versus decisive action. A leader’s brain is hardwired to seek risk. A leader with a compelling vision is able to focus on the risk.
How do you develop your vision? You start with the end in mind. This fall I will invite my senior college students to imagine what they want to feel, have and reflect upon on graduation day in May. This is the beginning of vision. It could be the headline that they would want read on their local newspaper. I used the following prompts to help them formulate their vision –
- What are you celebrating on May 15th (Graduation Day)?
- How are you answering the question – “What is next for you?”
- Describe the skills you have obtained this year
- How would your friends describe what you have accomplished this year?
- Where will you be working and what will you be doing?
For a business leader, the questions are different.
- It is 5 years from now, what does the cover of the Wall Street Journal read if it covered your success story?
- What are the conversations like at a company celebration in 5 years?
- How would employees describe what it is like to work for you?
- What do your clients say about you?
Forward facing questions like these can help establish your vision. For you, how will you communicate, concentrate on and instill your vision in your business?