Inspiring a Shared Vision

Regardless of the economic times, leaders need to inspire a shared vision - for their key stakeholders - employees, customers, partners and potentially the communities where you live and work.

Visions don't hvae to be grand designs in order to motivate and inspire people. A vision pulls people forward. It projects a clear image of a possible future. It generates the enthusiasm and energy to strive toward that goal.

• Martin Luther King, Jr.'s vision had the power to better the lives of us all and to change the course of our nation.
  
  
• Winston Churchill's vision had the power to pull the British people through the darkest days of World War II when they fought Hitler alone.

All inspiring visions offer the following attributes:

• Ideal - a high standard to aspire to
• Unique - pride in being different, an identity
• Image - a concept or mental picture made real or tangible through descriptive language
• Future Oriented - a map of the journey and statement of the goal ahead
• Common Purpose - a way people can join together

In order to inspire and motivate, a vision must be communicated in a clear and lively form. It myst be expressed in a simple and direct way that moves and touches people. Leaders breathe life into their visions and values by using things such as metaphors, examples, quotations, analogies, slogans and anecdotes.

When leaders effectively communicate avision, it has very powerful results. When visions are effectively communicated you will see -

• Job satisfaction
• Commitment and loyalty
• Clarity about organizational values
• Pride in hte organization
• Organizational productivity

Is your vision inspiring your team?