You’re struggling to get your team on the same page. How can you build a shared vision for success?

As leader, guiding my team through challenging times requires refocusing our efforts towards a common destination. Maintaining momentum demands we rediscover why we chose this path together in the first place. Recent setbacks only strengthen my resolve that our future depends wholly on internal cohesion. To that end, I've arranged a thoughtful off-site retreat encouraging frank and thoughtful discussions regarding hurdles faced. With openness and care for each perspective shared, our brainstorming imagines renewed strategies of overcoming adversity through unity instead of division. Distilling insights into a clear, brief mission propels us daily as individuals yet bound by shared purpose.

?? There seems to be a contemporary misconception around the "building a shared vision" idea. Vision may be built on peers input, advice, deliberation, consensus or none of that at all. It is for those in a position of leadership to assume responsibility for defining vision; which is why they've been given such position. In Agile Methodologies, the role is dynamic and team members alternate on it. What really needs to be built is a shared ownership of goals, a commitment to align all efforts with the lead's vision. This is why a leader needs to be an active listener; to understand the team, and an effective communicator to connect with the team building a bridge of trust that will deliver his vision to the team's hearts and minds.

A Vision requires a collective, a mission requires a perspective. Not everyone is going to be able to share the same sentiments you have over the vision you have shared to the team. This is because everyone has their own sets of motivators that drives them to what they desire to see. So to be effective, you have to be able to have everyone understand where your heart lies at and have checkpoints that resonates with them. If not, there is no point in sharing your vision if they can't see the reason.

Communicating my vision should be done in a way that's relevant to my team. To ensure the entire team is on the same page and well-equipped to support the organization's mission.

Building a shared vision for success within a team is crucial for alignment and collective motivation. I would utilize some strategies that would help to achieve this , Facilitating Open Communication, Involving the Team in Goal-Setting, Creating a Compelling Vision , highlighting shared Values, Encourage Collaboration, celebrating achievements, Seeking & and providing Feedback, Clarifying Roles and Responsibilities, and Emphasizing Continuous Improvement

SWOT analysis and PESTLE analysis give you supporting facts. These points can be used as weightage when you are evaluating options. To have the team on the same page, you must have a shared aim. Everyone must understand the other perspective and should have an open space to communicate it. If it was me, I would have them in a meeting and allow them to talk about their aim/vision in just 2 min. Having a hard time makes a person focus only on what they want and what exactly they want. This way you only get to listen to what are individual vision statements and it will be easier to come to a common ground. We use this technique in college clubs which can be applied here as well.

Prior to the meeting, have each individual answer a set of questions that will enable you to have a better understanding of what resonates with each of them. This significantly reduces the time spent during meetings; trying to figure out everyone's priorities. Next, you might want to use what you have found to set up mini goal points for them to achieve so that they feel the need to be a part of this vision. No one's going to care about your vision if it does nothing for them or doesn't resonate well.

Once you've involved your team in the vision creation process, each person feels he/she is a part of the whole and sees how his/her part of the project contributes to the successful completion of the whole project. It sometimes might not be practical to involve every person on the team in the vision creation process; notwithstanding, it's the team lead's responsibility to communicate the vision to others and help them see how they are contributing to the bigger picture.

Host regular team meetings to discuss and align goals. Utilize collaborative platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams for transparent communication. Encourage open dialogue to ensure everyone's input is considered in shaping the shared vision.

Involve my team in the vision and creation process one of the keys to building trust, engagement and collaboration in my team. I can use brainstorming, surveys to gather team input and perspective for vision process.

OKRs are must have. No debate about that :) They help people to see the link/bridge between their daily contributions and the company's vision

Utiliser des cartes visuelles peut d'engager des personnes de son équipes moins réceptives à d'autres supports. Le visuel permet d'élargir, de sortir du cadre plus facilement

Utilize visual tools to map out your vision and strategy effectively, facilitating clarity and engagement within your team. Employ tools like vision boards, strategy maps, roadmaps, mind maps, and canvases to organize, present, and communicate complex concepts seamlessly. Vision boards compile images, words, and symbols to inspire and represent the vision vividly. Strategy maps illustrate the alignment of vision, objectives, initiatives, and measures. Roadmaps outline timelines, milestones, and dependencies for vision execution. Mind maps visually depict main themes, subtopics, and details of the vision and strategy. Canvases provide a structured framework to design, test, and validate key elements of the vision and strategy.

Inspired by "The Organized Mind," leverage visual tools like mind maps. The brain processes visual information faster and more effectively. Additionally, align with "The Second in Command" to create a strategic roadmap. This ensures that your vision is not just an abstract concept but a tangible plan. Neuroscience Insight: The brain is wired to prioritize visual information. Visual tools enhance comprehension and aid in long-term retention. Practical Takeaway: Consistently use visual aids to reinforce the vision. This creates a shared mental model, aligning everyone with the overarching strategy.

If you own a physical office, one of the best ways would be to place these writings or collective post-its of the vision on the wall where people often go to. What this does is that it creates a space for people to stay reminded of the existence of the vision. If not, you can create a WhatsApp group chat and post daily reminders on the vision and track the progress towards it throughout the year.

Feedbacks are essential. You cannot keep everyone happy. But what you can take feedback from everyone. This will help you create a better version of yourself. Maybe some feedbacks would be useless and full of hatred but few could be really great that can help you and the team in the future.

Establishing a feedback loop is crucial for maintaining a dynamic and adaptable shared vision. Measure results and gather feedback from team members, customers, and stakeholders regularly. Review and update the vision and strategy based on findings. Define key performance indicators (KPIs) and targets, communicating them clearly. Collect data and feedback from diverse sources, sharing and discussing findings with relevant stakeholders. Identify gaps, issues, or opportunities for improvement, implementing solutions accordingly. Ensure transparency and accountability in the feedback loop, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and alignment with organizational objectives.

"The Culture Code" advocates for a culture of feedback. Regularly assess progress and create an environment where feedback is constructive. Embrace the principles from "The Elevated Communicator" to adapt your communication style based on team feedback. Neuroscience Insight: Constructive feedback triggers the brain's reward system, promoting positive reinforcement and a culture of improvement. Practical Takeaway: Schedule regular feedback sessions, making it a two-way dialogue. Adjust the vision based on evolving needs and insights gained from team members.

Cette démarche favorise l'adaptabilité et l'agilité organisationnelles, essentielles dans un environnement d'affaires de plus en plus volatile, incertain, complexe et ambigu (VUCA). Une communication transparente est à privilégier ; elle assure que tous les acteurs sont alignés et engagés dans la même direction, et qu'ils comprennent comment leur contribution soutient la vision globale.

I should recognize and reward my teams' achievement and efforts, as well involve and empower them to participate in the process.

Celebrations are not just moments of joy; they are integral to team morale. Following the philosophy of "The Second in Command," celebrate milestones collectively. Incorporate the principles of "Radical Candor" to acknowledge individual efforts. Neuroscience Insight: Celebratory moments release dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This reinforces positive behavior and fosters a sense of accomplishment. Practical Takeaway: Organize regular team celebrations, big or small. Recognize individual contributions publicly, reinforcing a positive team culture.

Celebrating your team's achievements and learnings is essential for nurturing a positive and supportive team culture. Recognize contributions, motivate, and reinforce a growth mindset by acknowledging both successes and learnings. Set and celebrate short-term and long-term goals and milestones to mark progress. Provide timely feedback and recognition to team members, fostering a sense of accomplishment. Share successes and best practices with the organization, promoting a culture of continuous improvement. Organize fun team events and activities to strengthen camaraderie and collaboration. Facilitate peer-to-peer learning and mentoring to encourage knowledge sharing and skill development.

Take the time to publicly acknowledge and praise individual and team achievements during team meetings, company-wide announcements, or email. Highlight specific contributions and outcomes to show appreciation for their efforts.

Promote collaboration and active participation by ensuring an overlap in your team members' goals. Often, when roles and responsibilities are strictly defined, individuals may find themselves working in silos, leading to larger gaps and a sense of disconnect within the team

Cohesion and sharing thoughts yet listening to one another to be able to create one voice within the team you lead is so important. Struggle is leading sometimes to #consensus and discovering that the first idea ?? you had in mind maybe the good one and adding some new directions makes the team work richer and encompasses the team to feel understood. Giving the chance to the entire group to contribute to a better decision.

In my experience, it's all about aligning your team's attention. It requires diverse approaches for each member, understanding their communication styles, tailoring messages, utilizing various channels, providing context, actively listening, offering incentives, and being flexible. Effective communication fosters collaboration and boosts productivity.

In addition to the structured steps outlined, it's crucial to recognize the importance of adaptability and resilience in navigating challenges and uncertainties. Encourage flexibility and agility within your team, empowering them to adjust course when necessary and learn from setbacks. Embrace failures as valuable learning opportunities, fostering a culture where experimentation and innovation are celebrated. Furthermore, prioritize open and transparent communication throughout the vision-building process. Encourage active listening, constructive feedback, and inclusive decision-making to ensure all voices are heard and respected.

Building a shared vision for success requires a combination of effective communication, collaborative engagement, and ongoing refinement. By involving the team in the vision-building process, utilizing visual tools, establishing a feedback loop, celebrating achievements, and considering additional factors like individual goals and team culture, you can foster a strong sense of unity and purpose within the team.