From Invisible to Valuable: Refining Your Vision

A leader told me he is concerned about how much (or little) his organization values his team’s work. As a result, he feels a sense of instability and fears a decision could be made at any point to eliminate his team.

Leaders with this perspective can feel powerless, anxious, unappreciated, vigilant, protective, defensive, distracted, threatened by change, and exhausted. This is not a sustainable existence.

It is why it’s so important for leaders to do these three things:

-be responsive to organizational changes

-stay educated on industry innovations

-regularly update the team’s vision

Here’s the hard truth, leaders: If you cannot articulate the value your team brings to the organization or customer, neither can anyone else.

If this resonates with you (or makes you a little sweaty), use the questions below to get clear on your vision and how to articulate the value your team provides to your organization or customers.

1. Who is your team serving? Your customer? (List all that apply)

2. What does your customer need that your team can give them?

3. What do people come to your team for?

4. What don't they come to you for, even though you can do it?

5. What are others in your field doing that you admire?

6. What pain points does your company/customer have that your team could solve?

7. What is most important to the leaders of your organization and how does your team support that?

8. What dream do you have for your business or team that you've never shared?

9. How do you want others to describe what it’s like to work with your team?

After you’ve answered these questions, select the words that resonate most and write a sentence (or two) that captures what you aspire for your team to do or be. This is your working vision statement.

Now, for the real test.

Read your vision statement to someone who is not in your department or industry.

Ask them to repeat what they heard in their own words.

If what they say doesn't reflect your intended message, you’ve got work to do.

Simplify, clarify, remove jargon. Repeat the test until others understand it.

Once you’ve refined your vision statement, tell everyone! Get the word out!

You've got big dreams and lots to offer.