“A mark of a leader, an attribute that puts him in a position to show the way for others, is that he is better than most at pointing the direction. As long as he is leading, he always has a goal.” – Robert K. Greenleaf
When someone takes the lead, he or she directs others in the right direction. A leader would be unable to determine the best course of action without a clear vision.
We all have goals, whether in our personal lives or for our businesses. But without putting those goals into words, we tend to forget them. That’s why a leadership vision statement is so important.
It gives shape to those vague goals we aim for, and it serves as a reminder, both to us and to the people we lead, when the problems of the world distract us and make us forget. A good leadership vision has four key components: It tells a compelling story of the future we aim for; paints a concrete image of what the goal would look like; aims high but remains achievable; and describes a future that is out there some time from this moment forward, but not so far that it is out of reach.
Your personal leadership vision is a testament to the trials you’ve been through that allowed you to grow as a person and as a leader; the values you’ve picked up and held dear along the way; and the kind of tomorrow you want to pave the way for this generation and the next.
It is the moral compass that guides your business decisions towards a success that can be celebrated with every life your business touches–from your clients to your shareholders and the employees that worked to help you achieve that vision.
Why is it important in leadership? Aside from the goal of where your business is headed, it also serves as the motivation and inspiration to keep you working on getting there.
Sometimes, the road to success is long and difficult. When you are discouraged, your vision reminds you of why you began going down this road in the first place and what is at stake.
It also helps you focus and gives meaning and purpose to your endeavors. It becomes the “Why” behind your every decision.
That’s why leaders without a clear vision fall into four pitfalls: they become unprepared for the future; they miss some opportunities; they have their priorities scattered; and they end up wasting resources.
If you have a clear vision, you can avoid these pitfalls as you can be more intentional about the direction you want to head in. Both you and your people can keep moving forward with confidence.
It is important to revisit your vision statement every now and then and really go back to your roots—this keeps you grounded and in touch with the reason why you started the business in the first place.
“A vision is not just a picture of what could be; it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.” – Rosabeth Moss Kanter
Thank you for reading A Brilliant Tribe.
