Without a vision, the team is just a work group, a “unit,” with
each person doing her job ... getting through the day.
Simultaneously, as you develop your people’s potential
individually, integrate them into a team. Do that by giving them a
common vision. You can take four actions to shape that vision.- Write out your highest hopes.
Don’t limit yourself at this stage. Involve the whole team.
Set your sights high ... your most ambitious expectations
... your most cherished dreams for your team. Make your
vision one that will inspire people and assure them they
are working for something great!
Examples- To be the best team this organization has
ever experienced. - To provide the greatest opportunities for advancement.
- To provide superior customer service by a balanced
approach to work and life.
- To be the best team this organization has
- Link your vision to organizational goals.
How does your vision line up with the corporate direction
... with your market ... with your budget? If you create a
vision that’s out of sync with these key business
elements, you and your team are setting yourselves up
for frustration.
Let’s say one of your department goals is to increase
product quantity, but the driving division goal is to
increase quality. You could be in the unenviable position
of receiving team reprimands even when your team
members exceed your goals! Always make sure your
“mission” or “vision” is based on and complements the
larger corporate objective:- To operate as a totally self-directed team within the
next 18 months. - To enroll every member of the team in at least two
job-related educational experiences every year. - To achieve and sustain the highest level of
productivity in company history.
- To operate as a totally self-directed team within the
Coaching, Mentoring and Managing6
“Vision is the art
of seeing things
invisible.”
— Jonathan Swift