Developing A Team Vision Statement

Keep this in mind when developing a team vision statement:

Back in the 1980's Microsoft's vision of "having a computer in every home running Microsoft software" may have seemed very improbable to most people. In fact there could have been people within Microsoft trying to water this vision down. Yet it has been this rallying cry that has driven Microsoft's success.

The essence and excellence of your vision statement is what will drive the behaviors, creativity, innovation, commitment, engagement and determination of the people within the organization. If your vision statement opens people's eyes to what is possible and inspires them to work toward achieving it, then it has served its purpose well. Of course, it is the leader who must perpetually and unflaggingly remind and rally people to the vision.

A Good Vision Statement ...

• Sets a standard of excellence
• Clarifies direction and purpose
• Inspires enthusiasm and commitment
• Bridges the present and future
• Is clear and easy to understand
• Is ambitious (not limited by current circumstances - what is perceived possible)

When you are developing a team vision statement you are always dealing with the future. You are describing the destination towards which you are aiming. You are not defining how you are going to arrive - that comes much later. Your vision statement is never static, but always dynamic and is designed to unleash an organization's energy. Here are examples of other Vision Statements:

Disneyland: Create a place for people to find happiness and knowledge

Ford: Produce a car that everyone can afford

Girl Scouts: Help a girl reach her highest potential

Cirque du Soleiol: Invoke the Imagination; Provoke the Senses; Evoke the Emotions

The most powerful vision statements generally invoke, involve and energize people throughout the organization. It gives them a higher cause to rally behind, feel engaged by and see that what they are doing is worthy.

For example: You could create a vision statement that says:

Short and sharp it's a good vision statement. Yet to really get people to rally behind it they need to understand why this is important. So whilst you may have that short 8 word sentence as your rallying call - sitting behind it will be a longer description which will include an intent statement like:

Communicating The Vision - The Leaders Role

It is the role of the leader to be the direction setter and spokesperson for the Vision Statement and breathe life into the Vision.

This story illustrates:

Developing a team vision should not simply be delegated to a committee. Certainly you will need a group of people to work together to draft the statement, however, it is something that must be driven by the most senior person in the business, with involvement from people at all levels. Nurturing the culture of the business and providing direction is the most important role of the leader. Consequently this is one task that must never be delegated.

The vision is more than just words on paper. It is an exercise in articulating the beliefs, emotions, hopes and desires of all who will work together toward the vision. Never simply draft the vision statement and post it in books, wall hangings or on coffee mugs. Communicating the vision is something that the leader must live and breathe, as they inspire people through the use of metaphor, story, examples to continually connect to the bigger vision of why they are doing what they are doing.

The Steps in Developing A Team Vision Statement:

1. Make it big enough that there will always be passion and energy as you grow toward it
2. Word it so it serves as an energy source and rallying point for the organization
3. Imagine it is 10 years out and you are being interviewed by Oprah, what have you achieved, what difference have you made, what are you proud of
4. Write it in the present tense
5. Make it emotive - you want to stir passion
6. Summarize the Vision Statement into a powerful phrase e.g. Nasa = Put a man on the moon by the end of the decade

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