Effectively communicating strategic vision is about far more than words. It’s about…
People
Did you know? A study by Clearpoint found 70% of employees who understand their company’s vision are engaged at work, compared to 23% of those who don’t. We all know, engaged employees are more productive, better problem solvers, and more loyal than their disengaged counterparts. They are also more likely to carry-out your strategic vision.
The key term in the Clearpoint statistic is understand. Why is that important? Because to understand means we perceive and comprehend intent. As leaders, we can’t get team members to the place of understanding anything by mentioning it at the annual communication meeting, or sending it in an email. We must find ways to connect our people to our strategic vision and create a common aspiration for what could be.
How do we inspire team members to find common aspiration within the strategic vision?
Well, a good place to start is realizing your team is made up of dynamic humans. They have unique circumstances – just like you – that shape their perspectives, opinions, behaviors, and motivations. People are not “one size fits all” when it comes to communication, or anything else for that matter. Thus, we can’t assume because we get it they got it too.
The complexity in leadership is always figuring out the individuals, and how to translate your vision into their effective action. Sadly, the majority of leaders never do. However! Successful leaders know it is incumbent on them to learn how to tap into what moves and motivates their people. They know, team members need to feel the inspiration of the future state before they can unify and accomplish it.
Great leaders establish clear strategic vision, of course. But they also create the ASPIRATION needed to fulfill that vision.
What does it mean to have aspiration?
Simply out: Your mission answers the question of “what” and your strategic vision answers the question of “why” . It is in the WHY that Aspiration lives, as the critical element.
Our “why” is the force that drives us dynamic humans forward. This is true even in our singular daily routines. When we’re thinking about moving a team or an entire organization forward, the clarity of the WHY – the picture of the future state and why it matters to me – is what holds the power to bring it to life.
The Power of Aspiration
Aspiration: A strong desire to achieve something high or great.
Everyone has aspirations. Some call them dreams. Know that every member of your team has their own why and aspiration, relative to their roles.
As leaders, creating shared aspiration is about painting a picture so clear, and communicating it so well, that your team members are able to connect their individual “why’s” to the strategic vision. When teams have a direct-line-of-sight from their roles to that aspirational future state, well 🤯. That’s when magic happens! This is when hearts and minds get excited, find resilience, and create extra-ordinary outcomes.
Those extra-ordinary outcomes are supported by goals and specific, achievable, measurable, and time bound (SMART) plans, for sure. But it’s the aspirational vision the keeps momentum going.
Where to begin
“Painting the Picture” is where we suggest you begin. Word pictures are powerful tools in communication and leadership. They help to effectively convey ideas, gain interest, and inspire action. Painting the word picture vividly illustrates the benefits and potential of a proposed idea, change, or big-picture strategic vision.
As this picture of communication is crafted, sharing the WIIFY (What’s in it for you) is important. This is how leaders create the connection between the individual and the vision. Once the connection is made, intrinsic motivation begins to build. Now, buy-in is realized and the shared perspective begins!
Tips for Painting your aspirational vision picture
Whether working alone or including your leadership team, here are key questions to help you create aspirational messaging:
- Where are we now?
- Where do we want to be?
- What will it look like when we get there?
- What’s different?
- What will it feel like?
- How will we know we made it?
- What will happen if we don’t?
Conclusion
We started this post with a statistic: 70% of employees who understand their company’s strategic vision are engaged at work. This was contrasted by only 23% engagement when strategic visions are not understood. Aspirational vision is not just nice to have, it is an essential component of effective leadership and successful business strategy. If you want your team to become part of the 70%, we encourage you to begin with crafting a compelling vision and nurturing the aspirations that drive your team.
Reach out today for information on how the PERSPECTIVES coaches can help you inspire and enjoy goal-smashing success.
