Workday Playdate 267: Warning: This Vision Setting Strategy Might Actually Work!
What if the success of your team hinged on a single, powerful choice: which wolf you feed? Inside every leader lies the potential to cultivate either chaos and confusion or unity and inspiration. The secret? A clear, compelling vision that your team not only understands but wholeheartedly embraces.
In this episode of the improve it! Podcast, Erin delves into the transformative power of vision-setting for leaders.
Borrowing wisdom from the story of the Two Wolves, she explores how leaders can shape their team’s trajectory by fostering a vision rooted in hope and purpose.
Whether you’re leading a small group or steering an entire organization, this episode equips you with actionable steps to craft a vision that inspires action, fuels alignment, and drives long-term success.
Below, are five key takeaways from the episode if reading is more your jam than listening—it can act as your roadmap to feeding the right wolf and unlocking the full potential of your team:
1. Start with the ‘Why’Every compelling vision starts with a purpose. Erin discusses how a strong vision isn’t just motivational; it’s a strategic foundation for success. Using real-life examples, Erin illustrates how top-down, uninspiring visions (think jargon-filled monologues from “Chad the Boss”) fail to connect with teams. By contrast, involving your team in the vision-setting process ensures alignment and fosters enthusiasm. When leaders invite collaboration, they empower their teams to co-create a vision that resonates deeply and inspires action.
2. Define What Makes a Vision GreatNot all visions are created equal. Erin breaks down what separates a vague, uninspiring statement from a clear, actionable vision. For example, Google’s mission to “organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful” stands out because it’s specific and aspirational. Leaders can use similar principles to ensure their visions are not only ambitious but also meaningful and aligned with their team's purpose and values. The clearer the vision, the stronger the rallying point for your team.
3. Engage Your Team in the ProcessCollaboration is the secret sauce for creating a vision that sticks. Whether through interactive workshops, brainstorming sessions, or even fun activities like sketching vision boards, engaging your team fosters ownership and excitement. Erin highlights the “yes, and” brainstorming method to generate ideas and refine them collectively. By involving your team, you’re not just setting a vision—you’re building trust and driving alignment.
4. Communicate the Vision EffectivelyEven the most inspiring vision won’t resonate if it’s poorly communicated. Erin shares practical strategies for making your vision memorable, including storytelling, emotional connection, and creative delivery methods like campaigns or fun memes. The goal is to ensure that every team member feels the vision in their core and understands their role in bringing it to life. Passionate, clear communication transforms your vision into a unifying force.
5. Keep the Vision Alive and EvolvingA vision isn’t static—it’s dynamic and should grow with your team. Erin emphasizes the importance of embedding your vision into daily operations and regularly revisiting it. By setting quarterly goals (or “rocks”), celebrating small wins, and adapting as needed, leaders can ensure the vision remains relevant and inspiring. This ongoing focus keeps your team aligned and motivated, even as challenges and opportunities evolve.
Conclusion: Feed the Right WolfAs leaders, the vision we choose to feed determines the future we create. By crafting a clear, inspiring vision and involving your team in the process, you set the stage for alignment, motivation, and success. Ready to take the next step? Our Vision Setting Workshop is the perfect opportunity to feed the right wolf with your team. Whether in 2024 or 2025, let’s create a vision that inspires action and transforms your work culture.
Learn more and book a Vision Setting workshop for your team here: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/curriculum
No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)
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Show Links
- Purchase I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy here and the Resource Guidebook that was built in conjunction with it here.
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