Begin with the end in mind

Last week I asked you some tough questions, prior to discussing the development of a "Strategic Mindset". Today, I'm going to come right out of the gate with even tougher questions. Do you have vision? Are you a visionary? Have you developed a vision for your company, your department, or your life? If you haven't, where is your company going? Where are you going? When you wake up in the morning, where do you go? Why do you even get up and go, wherever you're going?

As a coach, mentor, consultant, trainer, and friend, I have to ask these tough questions. It's one of the ways, I not only qualify people, but also get them to slow down and think. As a business owner, manager, partner, employee, and friend, I hope you can answer them truthfully and if you aren't satisfied with the answers agree to evolve them. I believe the evolution should start with vision.

One of my favorite quotes, from John C. Maxwell, is "Vision adds value to everything". I enjoy it primarily because I believe that we need to have our own "personal" vision to get up every morning and contribute to this great world we live in. I also believe we'd be in better shape, as a society, if we would just slow down and develop visions for our lives, relationships, jobs, and more. Do you think the divorce rate would be lower if engaged couples sat down and developed a vision? What about the success rate of new businesses? Without a doubt, the success rate would be much higher, and here is why:

My work with business clients around vision is both a challenging and enjoyable process to work through, and I so enjoy when it all comes together. For those that already have visions, I make sure they are "truly heading North". You see, vision is the compass for your company. It's what the company sees as possible for customers, potential customers, the community, and beyond. Unfortunately, unless you were a Boy Scout in the 60's or 70's, you probably don't know how to navigate with a compass. Therefore, very few companies have taken the time to develop their vision. The few companies that have do quite well. Just look at Microsoft, FedEx, Domino's, etc. I think that vision has served them pretty well, don't you?

Though most of the companies I work with are smaller in size than the Microsoft's of the world, their visions are equally as important and compelling. The vision creation process is one we both enjoy tremendously and urge all our clients to move forward with. I enjoy seeing leadership embrace its employees in the process, as well as the teamwork it takes from all involved to get to the final version. No business and no company are too small for a vision!

John C. Maxwell is also noted for saying, "If your vision doesn't cost you something it's a daydream. As an owner, CEO, or managing principal of a company, while you are ultimately responsible for the company's direction, you cannot build a vision on your own. I highly recommend that you solicit assistance in creating the compass for your company and it may cost you something (I'm not talking just money either). It is prudent to include several people in the process, such as, employees, customers, suppliers, business coaches, and others. Done properly, you will go deeper with this group then you have ever gone with any of them before. Some companies even have retreats just to create their vision. In the end, your vision will need to inspire, motivate, and cement your team, so it just can't be quickly thrown up on a board and voted on. When completed, your team will be ready to take that vision to heart and deliver it to your customers. Often, I facilitate these sessions and while they can take several days, the results can be extremely rewarding, for all involved. I have seen the value a compass can truly add to a company competing in and for business. In the end, all your hard work will be worth it!

I have spent quite a bit of time developing the vision for my company and it was created with our customers and you in mind. It's simply, "to develop an organization that helps people discover and fulfill both their business and personal dreams, by using our real-life successes and failures, to guide and mentor them forever!" That truly sums up what we do each and every day in our business. We would love to hear yours or assist you in creating one.