{"id":48418,"date":"2024-11-21T18:33:55","date_gmt":"2024-11-22T02:33:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/?p=48418"},"modified":"2024-11-21T18:33:59","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T02:33:59","slug":"leadership-vision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/gov-talk\/about-gov\/education\/leadership-vision\/","title":{"rendered":"Leadership: \u2018Vision\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/DavidI.jpg” custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” alt=”A diverse group of five people are engaged in a meeting around a wooden table in a modern office, demonstrating leadership as they discuss business documents. A laptop is open, while large windows and hanging lights create a bright atmosphere.” title_text=”A diverse group of five people are engaged in a meeting around a wooden table in a modern office, demonstrating leadership as they discuss business documents. A laptop is open, while large windows and hanging lights create a bright atmosphere.” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” min_height=”595.2px” custom_margin=”|auto|19px|auto||” custom_padding=”467px|0px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Sans||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”72″ text_line_height=”1.1em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”785px” custom_margin=”-98px||0px|||” custom_padding=”||168px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”52″ text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Leadership: \u2018Vision\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-50px||||false|false” custom_padding=”149px|0px|1px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”1200px” custom_margin=”0px|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”20px||20px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” custom_padding_phone=”” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/david-ivers.png” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-45px|||||” animation=”off” sticky=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_text_color=”#02b875″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.2em” header_text_color=”#000000″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”]DAVID IVERS<\/span><\/a>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”PT Serif||on||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”16″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||20px||true|” global_colors_info=”{}”]David Ivers is from Sydney, Australia. He is a qualified Primary and Secondary School Teacher. In total, he has served on school leadership teams for 16 years in senior leadership roles.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”24″ text_line_height=”1.5em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”720px” min_height=”4030px” custom_margin=”-22px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”28px||16px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

\u201cDetermine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way<\/a>“<\/p>\n

Abraham Lincoln (June 20, 1848)<\/p>\n

Abraham Lincoln\u2019s advice is worth considering. Indeed, once you have determined what needs to be done and what the future should be, the next thing to do is to work out how to get there.<\/p>\n

Nothing is more frustrating than a leader who is on fire with where we want to be but has no plan to get there. We are discussing finding the organization’s future state and getting to where we want to be. This is meant as \u2018the vision\u2019 for the organization, and it is different from the organization’s mission. As mentioned in the previous article, \u2018Leadership: \u2018On Mission\u2019<\/a>:\u00a0 \u201cmission is the organization\u2019s \u2018raison d’\u00eatre,\u2019 the very reason and purpose for the organization\u2019s existence.\u201d<\/em> On the other hand, the vision for the organization is where we want to be in the future as we continue on the journey to fulfill our mission and purpose.<\/p>\n

In their excellent book \u201cOn Mission,\u201d John Buford and Sean Georges offer this crystal clear meaning of \u2018vision,\u2019 especially if you substitute the word \u2018team\u2019 with \u2018organization.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cVision is not a complex concept. As with the team\u2019s mission, you should keep it simple. Leaders essentially take their teammates on a journey to a future state. To get to that place, every leader and every member of the team must be able to vividly see what that journey will require and envision how that future state will look and feel.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Buford, John., Georges, Sean. (2022). On Mission (eBook). Austin: Texas. Greenleaf Book Group Press<\/a>. (Ch 14. p206 of 352).<\/p>\n

If vision is the future state of the organization and a primary task of leadership is to take everyone on the journey, then there needs to be a blueprint as a starting point. Almost every organization of note has a \u2018vision statement.\u2019 These should be concise and memorable. You want people to be able to recall the vision with ease. You also want that for your mission statement. If a person is applying for a job, the interview panel should check the candidate\u2019s understanding of the organization’s mission and vision.<\/p>\n

For that to happen, both must be published statements and included in the job advertisement. This, of course, is where the first error of judgment comes with leadership and vision. It isn\u2019t good enough to say, \u201cWe have a vision statement; people just need to follow it!\u201d As with ensuring everyone is \u2018on a mission,\u2019 similar processes and protocols must be in place to ensure everyone is \u2018with the vision.\u2019 When you hire that new staff member, provide in their induction and onboarding that mission and vision are referenced at every opportunity. As they guide the recruit through their new job, their mentor should connect every aspect of the latest job to the organization\u2019s mission and vision. When people get sick of hearing it, they\u2019re finally starting to listen to it and maybe starting to comprehend it. It helps dramatically if they see the senior leaders singing from the same page of the organization\u2019s hymn book. Enthusiasm can be contagious.<\/p>\n

The other mistake often made by leaders is they treat both the mission and the vision as a single discrete entity. It isn\u2019t. It should be integrated into the ebb and flow of organizational life and the people’s work. Suppose, for one moment, you decide to visit a sick relative in Boston and live in New York City. Your mission is to go to Boston to visit a sick relative. Your vision, your future state, is to arrive in time to spend significant time, on a particular date, with your relative. This will require you to drive from New York City to Boston.<\/p>\n

If you are driving a car from New York City to Boston, you may use a GPS device, where you ask it for directions, and it guides you there. In much earlier times, there would have been a physical road map to help get you there. If arriving at the destination by a particular date is the vision, the future state, where you want to be, the map alone won\u2019t get you there. You need a vehicle. You need to ensure that the vehicle is fit for the trip and has sufficient fuel and resources to sustain you and the vehicle for the journey. Ideally, you want it to be cost-effective. If you have friends joining you on this road trip, what is their role in executing your vision to get from New York City to Boston by a specific date? Is it their job to sing songs with a guitar while you do the driving? Can they share the driving with you, and would you let them? If the vision (future state) is to drive from New York City to Boston to arrive by a specific date, then a series of discrete yet integrated tasks need to be undertaken: 1). Plan the route. 2). Determine your budget for the trip, both in dollars, time, and labor. 3) Select the best vehicle for getting there. 4). What breaks and food stops will you need? 5) Where will you stay? 6) What might you do when you get there? 7) Who should be asked to join you on the trip? 8) Is there a return journey? All of these are discrete yet integrated tasks. They are things to be done to bring your vision to fruition. This example is a metaphor for \u2018the vision\u2019 in organizational life.<\/p>\n

To translate the metaphor into reality, consider this.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Plan the route.<\/h4>\n

Do you know what the vision is, what is the best path forward, people, teams, and resources, to have the best chance of reaching the future state that is the vision?<\/p>\n

Determine your budget for the trip, both in dollars, time, and labor.<\/h4>\n

Everything has a cost. How much you budget in terms of dollars, time, and labor reflects how much of a priority the vision is. Ultimately, your budget items should connect to the mission and vision of the organization.<\/p>\n

Select the best vehicle for getting there.<\/h4>\n

Is the current state of your organization fit for purpose? If not, what needs to change to make it fit for the journey ahead?<\/p>\n

What breaks and food stops will you need?<\/h4>\n

What training and professional learning and development will be critical to success? Perhaps a team retreat is needed. Importantly how will you know that it was impactful and fit for purpose?<\/p>\n

Where will you stay?<\/h4>\n

Where will your organization be physically and in the virtual\/online world? Do you need to relocate or leverage technology to be more effective?<\/p>\n

What might you do when you get there?<\/h4>\n

How will you know once you reach your future state and achieve the vision? Importantly, how will you celebrate the achievements of the staff and teams along the way, and how will your organization celebrate when you reach that future state? Rituals are essential in forming a shared bond around the organization’s mission and vision.<\/p>\n

Who should be asked to join you on the trip?<\/h4>\n

What does your staffing mix need to look like to achieve the vision?<\/p>\n

Is there a return journey?<\/h4>\n

To put it another way, once the vision has been achieved, take the time to review it and figure out the future state of the following vision.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f7f7f4″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” min_height=”594px” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” make_fullwidth=”on” custom_width_px=”680px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/2-4.jpg” alt=”A person extends their hand, with glowing arrows and digital charts hovering above the palm. These upward-pointing arrows symbolize growth and progress, representing the essence of leadership. The dark background accentuates a futuristic theme of technology and advancement.” title_text=”A person extends their hand, with glowing arrows and digital charts hovering above the palm. These upward-pointing arrows symbolize growth and progress, representing the essence of leadership. The dark background accentuates a futuristic theme of technology and advancement.” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ custom_padding=”||0px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ animation=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#efefe9″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/3-6.23.23\u202fPM.jpg” alt=”In a modern office setting, a man in a suit exudes leadership as he presents to a group seated around the table. Gesturing toward a blank flip chart, the team listens attentively, with laptops and coffee cups scattered about.” title_text=”In a modern office setting, a man in a suit exudes leadership as he presents to a group seated around the table. Gesturing toward a blank flip chart, the team listens attentively, with laptops and coffee cups scattered about.” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ hover_enabled=”0″ animation=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#818178″ text_font_size=”24″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”1.2%|10%||10%||” custom_margin_tablet=”|10%||10%” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|||||” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

Nothing is more frustrating than a leader who is on fire with where we want to be but has no plan to get there.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_text_color=”#888888″ text_font_size=”12″ text_letter_spacing=”2px” text_line_height=”1.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||11.4%|||” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]DAVID IVERS[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”1200px” custom_padding=”0||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” custom_padding_phone=”” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” min_height=”2200px” custom_margin=”-73px||11px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”40px||0px|” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”84px||1px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

In his groundbreaking book, \u2018The Excellence Dividend,\u2019 Tom Peters highlights the importance of undertaking the discrete yet integrated tasks needed to bring a vision to life instead of fixating on the vision itself.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeadership may involve vision, authenticity, and so on. But in the main\u2014and the source of managers\u2019\/leaders\u2019 highest impact\u2014is \u201cstuff\u201d\u2014discrete tasks such as hiring and evaluating. And, frankly, very few managers\/leaders merit the word pro when it comes to these discrete tasks that are the real meat and potatoes of their job.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Peters, Tom. (2018) The Excellence Dividend: Principles for Prospering in Turbulent Times from a Lifetime in Pursuit of Excellence (eBook)<\/a>. London, England: Nicholas Brealey Publishing. (Ch. 5 p181 of 508).<\/p>\n

This is precisely where the quote from Abraham Lincoln fits in.<\/h4>\n

If your friends are joining you, how does your mission and vision connect with theirs? If people are going to engage with the organization’s mission and vision, connecting it to their mission and vision in life is one obvious way of doing so. Often, individuals will name this personal sense of mission and vision as their passion, explaining why they work in education, healthcare engineering, etc. Harnessing this passion will go a long way to engaging these staff members with the mission and vision of the organization. It allows them to be aspirational for the organization and themselves and inspirational for others. Individuals who can integrate the mission and vision of the organization with their mission and vision are most likely on a path of personal and professional transformation. Generally, this requires inner work to achieve work-life integration, not just balance. In turn, we arrive at a fearless approach to life, including our work and pursuing a particular vision. Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post and Thrive Global, highlighted the importance of inner work to the personal and professional life.<\/p>\n

\u201cReintegrating the spiritual and the everyday is the key to fearlessness. But ending this division is not easy when we’ve stopped even acknowledging that we live caught between these two worlds. When we’re consumed with climbing the career ladder or just making a living, the spiritual seems unreal and far away. So we keep it conveniently penciled in one day a week, we seek it out only in moments of crisis, or we deny it altogether while trying to convince ourselves that we can overcome all fears and obstacles on our own.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Huffington, Arianna (2017). On Becoming Spiritually Fearless. (Thrive Global<\/a>).<\/p>\n

One clear advantage of faithfully developing your inner life is the confidence it brings to your life, including your professional life. This confidence often lends itself to being more comfortable around the team that you lead. People who are active in the work of their inner life are more self-reflective and self-aware. The wisdom that can come from this and the insights gained may well lead to a greater willingness to collaborate on shaping the vision statement so that everyone has \u2018buy-in\u2019 to it. The statement needs to be memorable and inspire an action to undertake the discrete integrated tasks that will lead to the realization of the vision. Decisions connected to mission and vision don\u2019t just happen. They would generally lend themselves to careful thought and even planning. In Australia, the Queensland Government has a useful page to guide businesses around mission, vision, and values. These 8 \u2018tips\u2019 help the organization create a memorable and impactful vision statement.<\/p>\n

Tips for business vision statement writing:<\/em><\/h4>\n

These tips can help you develop a high-impact business vision statement.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n