“If you don’t know where you’re going, you might not like where you end up.”
This powerful quote can be used in many situations, including when talking about the direction of an organization. When companies don’t have a clear vision of where they are heading, they are not as likely to reach the goals because not everyone will know what goals they are supposed to be working towards!
What is a vision statement?
A vision statement paints a clear picture of where a business wants to be in the future. It should be possible to describe the vision in a single sentence so everyone within the business can remember and understand it easily.
The creation of a company vision statement takes time and commitment, but the rewards will be worth it! A clear vision gives companies an edge over their competitors because it guides every decision made within the organization.
A powerful vision provides direction and motivation for all levels of staff, from top management to front-line workers. It lays out what success looks like at each level, which helps guide everyday decisions. This means everyone in the business will feel that they are working towards an achievable common goal, which is very beneficial for productivity and morale.
Here are 4 tips to help you craft a winning vision statement for your team – one that gets everyone FIRED UP about where the company is going and the goals you are trying to achieve.
1. Don’t rush the process.
Too often an organization or team will rush the brainstorming phase, wanting to skip straight to planning and executing. This can result in blind spots, lack of purpose, and teams struggling to gain traction towards goals.
Investing time in crafting a powerful vision now will save you time, money, and energy in the long run.
It’s unlikely that the first vision you and your team create will be the final version. Take time to review and edit every sentence until you have something that fits with the unique direction you want to take the organization.
This is not a one-size-fits-all process.
Each organization will come to its vision statement differently. Trust that the time you put in now with pay off in the long run when you move on to the planning and executing.
2. Be intentional.
The vision statement you build will become one of the most important statements in your organization. The process of creating it should be approached with care, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail.
Your vision statement should be the result of a deliberate process, not something thrown together in a hurry. You will probably have to work through many drafts. Some of your early ideas will change as you work through this process.
Your vision should be unique to your organization’s mission and values. It should be well thought out and most importantly intentional.
If you’re having trouble getting started, try thinking about where you want the organization to be 5, 10, or even 20 years from now.
Sure, everyone wants to increase productivity and revenues. But not everyone will have the same vision for the impact and change their work will have on the world.
This is where you can set your organization apart from your competitors.
Seeking advice and direction from your entire team is another way you can be intentional when crafting a vision statement.
Try forming a core team of employees from all levels of the organization to help brainstorm. This team should have at least one member from every department including sales, marketing, development, operations, and human resources.
Once you have collected your team members, brainstorm ideas for statements about what the company stands for and where it wants to go. Write down everything that comes up – even if it seems silly or far-fetched – without judging any of the statements.
The goal is quantity here. If everyone in your core team writes down 100 statements, then you will have 1,000 ideas to consider!
This is a helpful exercise because it allows different people’s ideas, perspectives, and lived experiences to be considered. You don’t want a vision that is just relevant to the CEO, it has to reflect the entire company.
3. Paint a picture of your fantasy land.
A vision is not merely about the future; it is an inspiration to guide present decisions. A good vision will stretch you and your organization beyond its current mindset. It will force you outside of your comfort zone and push you to achieve things you did not previously consider possible.
When we make a plan, we tend to filter out ideas we think are unrealistic. But when we write a vision statement, we should permit ourselves to dream big.
What would you dare to dream of as a future possibility?
Go BIG and suspend your preconceived assumptions, limitations, and judgments. This is the time to be creative and adventurous!
When crafting a winning vision statement, don’t get trapped into thinking you are too small to make a difference, that your organization is too small, or your product line isn’t important enough.
This is the vision statement! It’s the time when you can think about the best-case scenario.
If you’re having trouble thinking big, talk to a child. Harness that child-like creativity when crafting your vision.
Remember – the bigger the better! Don’t worry about the ‘what-ifs’. Don’t filter your ideas, just let them flow. Think about the impact and legacy you want for the company. Even if they seem out there, it’s better to scale back than set a vision that is too small.
4. Speak out with your ideas.
To dream big, you have to be confident enough to share your big ideas. This means that employees need to feel safe. This takes trust and the knowledge that there are no wrong answers at this stage of creating a vision.
Your willingness to go out on a limb will help create a culture where others are willing to be bold with new ideas, leading to even more innovation!
As a leader or manager, it’s your job to set the tone of thinking BIG so that everyone else feels comfortable doing the same. This kind of culture allows employees to reach their full potential!
Everyone has different skills, lived experiences, and insight to bring to the table. This human capital is a major asset to your company! When companies don’t have a culture that allows employees to be innovative, they are failing to tap into their human capital. That is a hugely wasted asset!
By encouraging BIG ideas, you can set a vision that people can not only align with but can be truly excited to show up to work every day to work toward the bigger picture of the company’s vision.
There you have it – 4 tips to help you craft a winning vision statement for your organization and your team.
A vision statement is more than a mission or a tagline. It’s a powerful tool that can motivate and align your entire company.
Are you struggling to craft a winning vision? Let’s chat! Schedule a call today to see how Fire Up & Lead can help you dream big and set a vision that gets your organization FIRED UP!