Some say leadership is defined as having people do what you want done for their own reasons.

While the notion is somewhat simplistic, the truth is that people want to follow a leader who communicates a clear vision for their organization. It is human nature to want to follow someone’s lead. Because most people seek role clarity at work, these two essential elements of a strong business plan allow associates to know their role in helping the company achieve these overarching goals.

It takes deep thought and reflection as to why your company exists and what your company represents and seeks to be. And having applied that deep thought effectively in words, you, the leader, must then consistently share your vision passionately with those around you.

Leaders must explain what they want to achieve regularly and often. Getting your vision’s wording right is like building the foundation of a house.  If the foundation lists, the house will sit crookedly, and if it is constructed of inferior materials it will crumble.  There is always a rush to get work started, but the most important work is crafting your vision statement.

Vision statements guide the creation of strategies and objectives—all tied together with a common purpose of achievement.  Without clarity in your mind and your associates, you may be working against yourself and not even realize it.

If you have the benefit of a senior leadership team, bring them into the creation process. Debate and challenge assumptions until everyone agrees on the working and the meaning of the words in your vision statement.  In so doing, you will have cemented a bond of agreement and ownership that gives your communication a boost as others will also be repeating the vision to those on their teams and throughout the organization. (Think Steve Jobs.) If you believe in something and desire to accomplish it, it is not likely to happen unless you set the direction to make it happen.  Having help makes it happen.

Your employees, customers, vendors, and strategic partners should also be educated on your vision. This action will help build clarity for them and an assurance that they are affiliated with a company that knows who it is and where it’s going. These groups can be aids in accomplishing your intentions.  Don’t be shy about posting the vision statement in employee break rooms, near the water cooler and elsewhere there are high associate traffic and gathering places.  I am most impressed when visiting a company, while waiting in their lobby, to read their vision statement. These statements give me important insight that will aid me in crafting my conversation with the person whom I am meeting.

Part of the One Page Business Plan Process is creating persuasive vision statements. But it doesn’t have to take weeks of meetings or lengthy documents. Both can be created in less than a day using our trademarked keyword and short phase methods. To learn more, click the button below to see how One Page Plans might work in your organization.

Without a clear vision, well communicated, your ideas won’t get accomplished.  A clear vision gets your team and associates on board with the goal.  It gives them a reason to want to help you achieve that goal!