Over the years, you have heard many people talk about mission statements and promoting your vision for your company. Did you know that many people put limitations on their vision and
therefore, their team?
I believe that there is a three step process to turning your vision into success for your team. Too often, we get bogged down by our own vision. Some leaders look at their vision as “absolutes”. This is what has to happen for us to be successful. It is very limited in thinking. It is either they think that only their way works or they are afraid to give up some control.
I believe that it takes all three steps to make it work. Here are the steps and then I will walk you through them.
Share your vision
Empower your team
Embrace change
Your vision does not get you anywhere if you keep it to yourself. You have to share it with the people on your team. They need to understand what your goals are. Remember that your vision is the destination. It is not a specific path to get there. We sometimes get wrapped up in “the how” and that is what limits us. It means that only ourselves have the knowledge to know how to get there and is this kind of thinking is very self centered. Your team has many talents that you have not tapped into yet.
That brings us to the second step, empowering your team. Give them the tools that they need to be successful and to make your vision a reality. Let them have the power to make decisions along the way. Yes, some of the decisions will not work, but do not hamper the decision making process. You did not wake up one morning and have all of the answers. They will stumble along the way just as you and I have.
They will provide options to the path that will be better than any of the ideas that you came up with. Do not be intimidated by that and try to take back control. This means that they really “get” your vision and want to do their part to make it happen.
Finally, embrace change. There is a saying in the food business that says “If you continue to use a white cake mix, you will continue to get a white cake.” Some of the best ideas come from taking risks and trying something new. If your team understands your vision and you have empowered them to act on their expertise and ideas of how to get there, you need to accept the fact that there will be changes along the way that will lead to the final goal.
Think about the vision that you have with your own team. Are you giving them a limited vision? Give me some examples of how you have limited your own team through your vision.
