Leading With Personal Vision: Five Simple Steps

Have you ever worked for someone who wasn’t clear on who they were, what they stood for, or where they were leading you? This can be very confusing and demotivating. Developing a personal vision statement is critical for leaders because it provides a framework for decision making and creates a roadmap to move forward with intention and purpose. It also motivates and inspires those you lead.?

Personal vision is important for success and satisfaction. Studies consistently show that it is even more important than intelligence, socioeconomic background, or education; yet, so many leaders fail to define and articulate their personal vision.?

A personal vision statement helps you define your best self and best work. It's a high-level snapshot that paints a picture of your ideal future, the type of leader you aspire to be, encompassing your contributions, beliefs, and legacy. Here are five simple steps to help you get started in creating a personal vision statement that will serve as your source of inspiration and purpose:

1. Establish Your Contribution by understanding the one achievement that must be completed in your life; the most important achievement or impact that will come from your work. An example of this for your life might be to make sure your children are happy, well balanced, contributing members of society. Whereas, an example for your work might be to coach people so that they are better at what they do because of your involvement.
2. Define Your Cause?by knowing where you are most dedicated and devoted.??Think about where your passions are and what brings value to your life. You can do this by answering some simple questions such as:??What are my most meaningful affiliations, activities, and bonds? What am I most committed to in my life? What makes me feel most alive?
3. Gain Clarity on Your Beliefs?by culling through a list of values and going through a process to determine which five to seven you hold most dear. This sounds easy but is difficult to do when deciding what values, like integrity or curiosity, are more bedrock for you than others, like recognition or likability.
4. Declare Your Legacy?by knowing what you want to continue or leave behind or as a result of being on this earth and working. This helps to understand the essence of your existence so that you can create a bridge by taking steps to move toward achieving your lasting impact.?
5. Articulate Your Personal Vision Statement?by creating an 8-to-12-word headline statement, a series of affirming statements, or a brief written narrative that reflects the essence of your existence and best self, keeping in mind any revelations from steps 1-4 above. Visualizing your perfect life in the future (10, 15, or even 20 years out) is particularly helpful when crafting a vision statement. My headline is "to live my life on purpose, navigating the crossroads of life with courage and grace," followed by a series of statements, such as "I empower others who want to empower themselves." When creating your vision statement, keep in mind that it's an iterative process, one that should be pressure tested and evolve throughout your life. Also, there is no right or wrong. Your vision, no matter the substance or form it takes, is yours and yours alone.

Leaders with the self-awareness and drive to establish and evolve their personal vision are more likely to be most satisfied and successful over the long term. Knowing your vision and creating your?guiding light statement for professional goals and decisions can help you cement your leadership, and in turn give those that follow you their own sense of purpose. As we wrap up 2022 and consider where we want to be in the new year and beyond, now is a good time to craft or reexamine your personal vision. Get started today.