Importance of a Strong Vision Statement

Does your organization have a Vision Statement? Most do – and it should be one of the guiding principles of the day-to-day operations of the organization. The Vision Statement sets the direction of the organization, guiding the decisions and strategy.

As a leader, knowing and understanding the organization’s vision is key to leading an effective team. Visionary leaders promote the process of organized learning, creativity, and the development of healthy relationships with other members of the team.

Visionary Leaders

Think about leaders who have had a strong vision and how it led not only to their personal success, but the success of their organization:

• Henry Ford – Henry Ford was one of the most impressive visionary leaders. He was the first man to mass produce automobiles, implement the use of an assembly line, and one of the first and most effective venture capitalists of his time. His vision allowed him to raise a large amount of money from friends to use as working capital in his business. He also negotiated deals with his vendors that were designed to allow him to purchase parts on credit, which was not a widely accepted method. Without a clear vision, he would not have been able to present his ideas and plans to those investors, his employees or his customers.
• Sam Walton – Sam Walton envisioned – and built – one of the most popular and profitable stores of our generation. After opening his first Wal-Mart in 1962, he was determined to improve the retail industry using his vision of cost-cutting marketing. Following his vision led to one of the most successful retail giants, often even referred to as an “empire.”
• Oprah Winfrey – Oprah Winfrey rose above her meager beginnings to become one of the richest and most powerful women in history. Landing her first radio job in high school, she soon jumped to television where she would experience success that had been unheard of before her arrival on the scene. Her vision helped her become one of the most influential women of our time.

The Importance of Vision

One thing that all successful business leaders have in common is a vision for their business. Visionary leaders possess the ability to verbalize and communicate their vision for their future endeavors.

Vision gives you a clear path to your goals. When developing a vision for yourself, your team, or your organization, it should be clear and concise – and achievable (not easy, but not impossible). Your vision should also be something that you can clearly explain and share with others. If you have trouble clearly seeing and understanding your vision others will also. When the members of your team are unsure of the ultimate goal, they will not understand the course of action you want them to follow.

Do you know the vision for your organization? Have you set a vision for your team? For yourself? Take some time this week to work on or review your vision and your progress towards it. Leave a comment here or on Facebook with your vision statement – you just might inspire someone else who is working on theirs!