As a business manager, you’ve probably heard it countless times: “You have to start with a vision.” It’s one of those mantras that often gets tossed around in boardrooms and strategy meetings. But let’s be honest, how often does it really make a difference?
The truth is, having a vision is only the first step; the real game-changer is your ability to articulate that vision effectively.
What this means is being able to convey that vision in a way that allows your team to see vividly, in their mind’s eye, what you want to accomplish. In this blog, we’ll explore why articulating your vision vividly matters and how you can ensure your success vision is clear and tangible.
The Value of Vivid Images
When it comes to defining the success of a business strategy, vivid scenarios are key. Leaders must be able to express their vision in a tangible manner. Good leaders don’t just state their vision; they convey the feelings and aspirations behind it.
So, how can you tell if your success vision is vivid and tangible enough? Here are two practical tests to consider:
Can Others Describe Your Vision?
One way to gauge the clarity of your vision is to share your vision statement with others and ask them to describe it back to you. For instance, let’s take two examples of success objectives for an actual project:
- There is no reduction of quality.
- Actual and perceived accuracy of invoices and data remains the same or improves.
If you were asked to define these objectives back to your manager, which one would you find easier to describe? If you’re like most people, you’d find the second one easier.
Interestingly, both statements point to the same objective. However, the second statement, with its added information, is more tangible, and therefore easier to grasp. This is precisely the kind of clarity you should aim for when articulating your vision.
Can You Measure It?
A concrete vision should be measurable. If you can’t measure your success vision, it’s not concrete enough.
Ta
ke the second success objective from our example: “Actual and perceived accuracy of invoices and data remains the same or improves.” How do you measure this? In our project, we used the following metrics:
- Percentage of invoices with repeat errors (tracked by a system).
- Percent of errors in data entry and percent of documents missing (measured manually).
- Percent of people who perceive that invoice and data quality is good (determined through a readiness survey).
These metrics provided clear benchmarks for meaningfully evaluating the success of our vision. This is important because when your vision is measurable it becomes possible to actually track progress based on facts and build support for your project overall: success breeds success.
Putting It into Practice
As your business continues to revise objectives to adapt to ever changing market conditions, it will be crucial to apply these two tests to your vision:
- Ask your core team members to describe your vision or objectives back to you. If they struggle, it’s a sign that you need to refine and clarify your articulation.
- Ensure key elements of your vision are vivid and measurable. Without clear metrics, it’s challenging to determine whether you’re making progress toward your goals.
In conclusion, having a vision is just the beginning. The real magic happens when you can articulate that vision effectively and ensure it’s clear, vivid, and measurable. By doing so, you’ll not only inspire your team but also set a solid foundation for achieving your business objectives.
Articulate your vision, measure your success, and lead your team towards a brighter future!
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Featured Image Photo by Jack Sloop on Unsplash
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