My Vision Instead of a Shared Vision

My Vision Instead of a Shared Vision

A quarterly review meeting of the sales team was going on, in the middle of the meeting, The Managing Director of the organization asked–Who will tell the “Vision” of our organization?All the members of the team looked at each other, their faces turned blue for obvious reasons and from the group one hand shows up, Sir, can I?

Yes please, the MD replied

He narrated the vision. The director said, well this isn’t our exact vision statement but I am glad you being the newest member could at least recollect a bit.

The MD asked another question—who would tell the mission of our organization?

By this time no one was ready to make an eye contact with him.

The Director was not happy and how could he be. It wasn’t a big organization, and he expected the members of his company to know the vision, mission and values of the company by heart. Something changed from thereon, now before any such meeting the employees of the organization used to visit the Organization’s Vision, Mission and Values. I noticed them mugging up just in case the Director asks them again.

While someone may argue it’s a positive sign because the employees now care to read about it. However, it made no difference because the vision and mission were mere statements that nobody internalized.

Too often we see this happen, In the beginning the founder of the organization or a select few in a company have worked very hard to bring their vision into reality, they have given their heart and sweat in taking the company where it is, but what after that? Now the organization has to grow bigger and better, make new strides and the MD or the founders cannot do this on their own. You need a team to grow your business. How can your people follow your dream?

Unless they see the same dream, paint the same picture of the future and, share the same concern and for that to happen one needs a Shared vision.

What are the key benefits of having a shared vision?

1.    High Engagement: Have you ever noticed the difference between the enthusiasm of your people on a Friday morning and Monday morning? All most all the spirits are live and kicking on a Friday morning but on a Monday morning too many of them die outside your office door. You don’t want that to happen, you want people to take two steps at a time when they are coming to the office. This can only happen when people find a meaning in their day-to-day work and how their organization success contributes to their personal success.

2.    Greater Innovation—When shared vision exists, the magnitude of the problem does not bog down people, instead, they spend their time in finding the solution. It encourages experimentation that leads to new ideas. Later, these ideas transform into new products and services. It’s only possible when people learn to look beyond day to day numbers and data and a shared vision has the power to spark the enthusiasm of people forcing them to think out of the box.

3.    Learn Better—When everyone in your company shares a similar picture of success that reverberates in everyone who works with and for the organization, it encourages them to challenge their own thinking, examine their beliefs, accept new ideas and contrary beliefs, the inclusive approach can maintain the organization on a learning path necessary to meet the demands of today’s age.

4.    Team Bonding—A shared vision creates transparency which helps the individuals and the teams to trust each other and recognize their interdependence.

The power of a team moving in the same direction creates wonders for the organization.