The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

92 / UNDERSTANDING LEADERSHIP

Leading through challenges

Setting out the vision

Leaders focus on vision and overall aims

and then help their team members as

they try to interpret how to achieve the

agreed objectives in a way consistent

with the organization’s values.

Business vision is a word picture of

your future as a team or organization.

It describes what things will look like

when we get to where we want to be.

Your leadership role may be to create

the vision and strategic objectives at the

top of your organization, or it may be to

develop your team plan in alignment with

a bigger corporate strategy.

Developing the vision

Involve your team in developing the

vision right from the start. Begin

by writing it down. As you move

forward, you will need to restate and

re-create the vision by communicating

with your team through open question

and answer sessions, one-on-one

reviews, and team meetings. Soon

each person will learn how to make

a meaningful individual contribution

toward team goals.

People are motivated by a clear

understanding of what they need to

do to fulfill the vision, by when, how

well, and why. These are key signposts

on the journey to their professional

development and to the achievement

of the team’s vision. Your job is to help

everyone in your team plan the route,

and to review their progress.

As a business leader, you will be expected to set out the values of an

organization and provide its stakeholders with an emotionally appealing

and achievable vision of the future. Clear, thoughtful communication at

every level is needed in order to develop this vision and translate it into

medium-term strategies and day-to-day action.

EXPLAIN WHY

“Why” needs to be explained

in two ways: “Because of A...”

(referring to a past/present

reason) and “In order to do

B...” (explaining possible

future consequences).

Tip

JUST REWARDS

Think laterally about the way

you reward members of your

team. Financial rewards often

have less motivational value

than your recognition and

thanks. If you are respected by

your team, your greatest gift is

your time. Make time to give

full attention to each person in

your team at regular intervals.

Never promise too much and

underdeliver future benefits to

your team members.

In focus

US_092-093_Leading_through_vision.indd 92 30/05/16 3:01 pm