Leaders who can inspire a shared vision are able to effectively envision and enlist others in the vision
Exemplary leaders are forward-looking and have the capacity to envision the future… they have the ability to project themselves ahead in time
Leadership is designed to discover something that no one else has yet to discover Leadership is designed to achieve something that no one else has yet to achieve
Envision the Future (K&P Chapter 5) The 2 essentials: Imagine the possibilities Find a common purpose
Imagining the possibilities is about discovering a vision that is meaningful to the leader and employees Although visions need to be shared, their construction often starts with the leader
What is a Vision? Ideal Unique Image Future-oriented Common purpose
When executives effectively communicate the vision, people report significantly higher levels of –– Job satisfaction Commitment and loyalty Esprit de corps Clarity about organizational values Pride in the organization
How do leaders discover a vision? Leaders need to be multi-faceted in terms of their insight… Leaders need to reflect on their past Leaders need to attend to the present Leader need to prospect the future Leaders need to have a sense of what they value
How does reflecting on the past aid a leader in discovering a vision?
How does attending to the present aid a leader in discovering a vision?
As a leader, what is so challenging about ‘prospecting the future?’
Be Forward-Looking in Times of Rapid Change Read cutting-edge magazines outside your industry Read articles and books by futurists Identify themes in the news, talk shows, movies, blogs, social media Watch trends in the bestseller lists of books, videos, games Ask your team what trends they think the future holds Watch trends in industry magazines
Enlisting Others (K&P Ch. 6) The 2 essentials: Appeal to common ideals Animate the vision
Appeal to common ideals: Connect to what is meaningful to others Take pride in being unique Alignment of dreams
Finding a common purpose is about discovering a path that others buy into and need An inspiring vision should provide employees with a sense of meaning, pride, of being part of something that is worthwhile and exciting
People will direct energy toward common goals when they feel connected and supported.
How do you find a common purpose? Get to know your employees ~ what they value & are passionate about Listen deeply (to what they say, what they don’t say)
Be Forward-Looking in Times of Rapid Change Read cutting-edge magazines outside your industry Read articles and books by futurists Identify themes in the news, talk shows, movies, blogs, social media Watch trends in the bestseller lists of books, videos, games Ask your team what trends they think the future holds Watch trends in industry magazines
How do we bring a vision to life? Stories Word pictures Metaphors Examples Analogies Anecdotes Symbols Symbolic language Theme Songs Quotations Pictures Poetry Humor Emotions Slogans Positive communication