Notes #2: The Vision

Having a vision is an important tool for any leader, and any organization.  Too often the vision is overlooked, and sadly, they are often misused.

 

But what IS a vision, and why is it important?   What may help is to look at some vision and mission statement from several organizations.  I picked several from groups I’m involved in.

Alpha Phi Omega, National Service Fraternity

Vision: Be recognized as the premier service-based leadership development organization

Mission: Prepare campus and community leaders through service

Values: Develop leadership, promote friendship, and provide service

Objectives: Share, Grow, Improve, Invest

Toastmasters International

Envisioned Future: To be the first-choice provider of dynamic, high-value, experiential communication and leadership skills development.

International Misson: We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.

District Mission: We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.

Club Mission: We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.

Values: integrity, dedication to excellence, service to the member, and respect for the individual.

National Association of Parliamentarians

Vision: to provide parliamentary leadership to the world.

Mission: a society dedicated to educating leaders throughout the world in effective meeting management through the use of parliamentary procedure.

These groups almost all have vision and mission statements.  What do these do?

A vision is what the group is striving to become.      

The mission is what the group does.  (does what?  Implement that vision). 

Together they give long-term direction and general purpose to the organization.  The vision can serve to help explain what the organization is all about, and the mission sets the foundation of what the group does day-in and day-out.

From this, we develop goals.  Many organizations develop their vision and mission first.  From this they will develop a strategic plan, which is usually a 3-5 year plan of more specific objectives to implement their vision & mission over that time.  From this high-level strategic plan will come more specific goals and plans, as groups within the organization (national committees, regional and local groups) take on aspects of the goals and plans.  While most groups may not revisit their vision and mission that often, they will come up with new strategic plans.  Some groups do at times revisit and revamp their vision and mission.  A couple of the groups I've been in for several years have done so.

This is all important because goals create purpose, purpose generates plans, plans produce action, and action builds good habits.  These are all important whether one is speaking of an individual, a local group (like your crew) or a national organization.  (goal setting and planning will be topics of future Notes).

So does your group or organization have a vision and a mission?  Does it even plan what it hopes to accomplish?

For a leader, having a vision is important.  You need to have a vision on what your group (organization, club, society, whatever) is going to do and accomplish.  You need to convey that vision to the group to get buy in.  Perhaps even develop that vision with the group so all will have a stake in its implementation.   They feel invested in it and willing to make it a reality.

Some groups further set down values.  Values indicate what is important over all other things to the group.  They usually set down important principles (what is important to US as a group and as members of the group).  Some may set down how the group should treat its members and how members shall treat each other (ie membership policies and the like).  There is a reason why I included a few above.

I have found that few training courses include speaking of a Vision.  Some do, and the better ones usually start off with the vision early on.

There is, however, a down side to a vision: when its misused.  As someone who works in a corporate environment, I have seen those who spend too much time in crafting a perfect vision, full of meaningless buzz words.  Or spend more time on that then real work (like a group I was on who spent 2-3 meetings on creating a vision and mission).  Don’t fall into that trap.

So, again, does your group or organization have a vision and a mission?  Have you thought about having one?  Something to consider.

 

 [originally appeared as Leadership Notes #8]