It is common knowledge that one can only achieve set goals with the steadfast support of a passionate team. It’s therefore imperative that as a leader you strive to win their hearts and souls at all costs. The following steps need to be followed in casting a vision:
1. Explain the general need to have a vision or mission to accomplish
As a leader, an entrepreneur has to justify the existence of the whole operation. This among other things obviously includes cultivating a sense of focus, purpose and direction. An organisation without a vision will surely struggle to survive. And part of this is to outline the specific aims, goals and objectives so lay your cards on the table.
Ensure that your team knows exactly what you wish to achieve and how you plan to implement it. It is very disturbing to note that some employees work for organisations for several years and still do not know the mission statement of their company.
Your vision should clearly communicate your bold and specific intention to dominate the industry. 66% of the Fortune 500 companies, for example, claim to have a vision but only 22% of these are firm and transformational. They need to be unique and revolutionary.
2. It is critical to clarify key terms
Your vision statement should be a brave and uncompromising world class declaration of your dream to be superior. An exciting vision is centred around specific values. Do not assume that they are on the same wave length as you. At this stage, all involved parties must buy into the dream.
People will never be willing to associate themselves with something they do not understand. Sell the dream by promoting all the positives around your vision. Let them visualise all the great things that will happen as a result of achieving the set objectives.
Remember to paint a picture of how they are likely to benefit as well. Bill Gates believes vision is really about empowering workers, giving them all the information so they can do a lot more than they have done in the past.
3. The conversation must always be two-way
At times some visionary entrepreneurs know what they want to achieve and where they want to be but they don’t know how to get there; encourage brainstorming sessions, with a positive and open tone and give your team shared ownership of the vision.
Investigate all methods and activities necessary to achieve the idea, without criticism at this ‘creative’ stage. Create a conducive atmosphere for people to share different opinions. Brilliant ideas sometimes come from very unlikely sources. Let me hasten to point out that your team should not change your vision completely but should be allowed to help shift the approach if there is a valid need.
4. A revolution of the mind is not a revolution at all
Great ideas are not good enough unless they are implemented. Entrepreneurs are not made for the boardroom. Together with your team, roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty.
In conclusion, let us remember that successful entrepreneurs keep promoting and selling their dream until the whole team owns the vision. Shift their thinking until they can proudly say, ‘our’ vision and not ‘your’ vision.