Do you inspire a vision of the future that energizes, mobilizes and guides your organization? Would you objectively say your team is inspired or energized by the team’s goal, or by the time remaining until they get off work?
This is the third post on vision. Other posts about vision are Shared Vision and Can You Taste It?
The third section of The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner, is titled Inspire a Shared Vision. The sections of the book are the core principles of leadership:
- Model the Way
- Inspire a Shared Vision
- Challenge the Process
- Enable Others to Act
- Encourage the Heart
The authors share an important point in Chapter 5: “Leaders are expected to be forward looking, but they aren’t expected to impose their future of the vision on others.” (Model the way.) They go on to say, “[t]he very best leaders understand that their key task is inspiring a shared vision, not selling their own idiosyncratic view of the world.” (author’s italics) (Inspire a shared vision.)
However, Kouzes and Posner are quick to add, “There’s nothing more demoralizing than a leader who can’t clearly articulate why we’re doing what we’re doing.” (Enable others to act.)
A key factor in the success of your vision of the future is the degree of overlap in your vision and that of your team or stakeholders, as well as being able to articulate the vision successfully.
If you’re in charge of a team, or if you find yourself as an informal leader, sharpen and clarify your vision. What will the future look like. How will it be different when you achieve your goals. A clear vision will energize and pull your team. But maybe you’re not in charge. Are you a middle manager where the vision is something you received from above? Embellish the vision. To the degree you’re able provide detail. If you’re not clear, ask. Your job is to get your team what it needs to succeed. What more do they need than a clear vision of the end result? The more detail we can provide, the better we can identify and resolve differences and create a shared vision.
Mike Henry Sr. provides group and individual leadership coaching for people motivated to make a difference. His coaching is based on Christian principles of servant leadership and building trust through treating others as more important than yourself. Mike brings creativity, innovation and a bias for action to every situation. With Mike as your leadership coach, you'll learn how to infuse every situation with quality, values and vision. Mike's helped people at all levels apply leadership principles to build better relationships and achieve exciting results. Mike can be reached at (918) 376-3100 or through the contact us form. Read more from this authorRelated posts:
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Great post Mike. Just like Rev. R. Inman said, “A great teacher never strives to explain his vision – he simply invites you to stand beside him and see for yourself.”
Love it. Such a huge fan of Kouzes and Posner. The great tradegy of leadership is that Maxwell outsells them.
Great post Mike. The rubric that Kouzes and Posner use reminds me of the four I’s of transformational leadership. Bass & Avolio have researched and written volumes on the topic (Bass died two years ago.). Their four I’s are also guides and challenges to the transformational leader. I used their MLQ (Multi-factor Leadership Questionnaire in my doctoral research. It’s a very powerful assessment tool.
The Four I’s:
1. Inspirational Motivation
2. Idealized Influence
3. Individual Consideration
4. Intellectual Stimulation
Also funny thing, in my quiet time this morning I was praying that God would make me the leader my organization needs. This post is a direct answer to that prayer. Thank you!
Blessings,
Dave
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