For the past few weeks we have been diving deep into organizational change.
We have explored the emotions that change brings about.
We have emphasized the importance of our people.
We have embraced the concept that sharing is succeeding.
But what is it that we are exploring, emphasizing, and embracing?
The “what” is the Vision.
A vision serves as a bridge, a link from the present to the future in the minds of those who are affected by change.
[quote]A vision is not just a statement; it is a compelling living idea that feeds us intellectually and emotionally.[/quote]
Developing, clarifying, and communicating a clear vision is an important step in the change process.
Developing the vision: Our people look at us as leaders to define a vision and to paint the picture of the future.
Clarifying the vision: Our people look to our guidance as leaders to clarify and identify the direction of change.
Communicating the vision: Our people need to be respected enough for us to communicate a clear, inclusive vision for change—so they, in turn, can help us bring the vision to reality.
[quote]Communicating a vision helps our people see themselves in the present being useful and in the future making a difference.[/quote]
Having a vision helps people understand the reason for change and the benefits it can bring. It helps people prepare. It helps to stay focused, and it aligns behaviors and activities to be successful.
[quote]Having a vision is essential to the heart of leadership and the soul of change. [/quote]
Lead from within: Shared vision is a shared heart, a shared leadership, and a shared organization. It benefits us all.
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.
Alli Polin
12. Mar, 2013
Lolly, Not only does the vision keep everyone focused but it inspires us and enrolls us in something bigger than ourselves. Your beautiful quote sums it up… vision is the heart of leadership and soul of change.
Sam
12. Mar, 2013
Highly impressive & clearly expressed in times when change is the only certainty.
Jo Miller
12. Mar, 2013
“Communicating a vision helps our people see themselves in the present being useful and in the future making a difference.” – this is so true and important. Well said. Thank you.
Wayne McEvilly
12. Mar, 2013
Lolly –
This series of posts on change is also useful to those of us who are not formally alighned or attatched to an organization since we must work with organizations in order to achieve our “solopreneurial” ends – when a library or university or school presents my music to their people I must work with and for those people to the best of my abilities. This entails being a part of that organization “for the duration” and beyond. So being an “independent contractor” does not mean working in isolationn The same dynamics apply.
Thank you.
Wayne
Valencia Ray MD
13. Mar, 2013
Beautiful, Lolly. ‘Our people look at us as leaders to define a vision and to paint the picture of the future’. Just as you said, vision is not ‘just a statement’. This ‘what’ – our vision – is something we have to ‘see’ in our mind’s eye before it can really take root in our heart.
Painting a compelling picture is essential and another reason why it’s time to develop our long forgotten muscle of ‘imagination’. ‘Impossible’ is often only where a person’s imagination ends.
dawoodchishti
13. Mar, 2013
Vision is to see beyond the common eye, describe it with simplicity and present it with reverence. It is really too impressive to add another unique post of yours.
Lolly! It is only spark of your selfhood.
john
21. Mar, 2013
the vision for living in constant growth and understanding,envisages in living a truth,beatifull in its life.
Mehboob Abbas
19. Apr, 2013
I talk about Ultimate vision not only the vision. Because ultimate vision allows you to think beyound life for u followers. they can vbe u family or otheres. Without an vision u cannot make an ultimate vision. An ulitimate vision leaves a legacy behind not the vision
Shelley Lundquist (@letmemoveyou)
03. Jul, 2014
Vision creates momentum, guides direction, and creates accountability. It brings people together with a common goal to work as part of a cohesive force striving for the same end-result. I agree completely. Shared vision is a shared heart.