It all starts with vision
In this article I share how vision, critical thinking and effective communication skills are essential for moving towards a bright future.
One of the core aspects of leading teams is being able to give people something to move towards.
One definition of a leader is that they have "followers". So, it makes sense that leaders are leading people towards something - and that is a vision.
The word vision originates from Anglo-French and means something along the lines of :
"something seen in the imagination or in the supernatural"
(“visionary | Etymology of visionary by etymonline,” n.d.)
It's about the act of seeing, imagining, and vision. It's fair to say that almost every item we use, or product we make use of, or service we buy, was created by someone who had a vision. They "saw" in their mind how something could be - and then created that thing. (And then moved themselves, and others, into action to create it).
This is the foundation of our work here at Cultivated Management; envisioning a bright potential future(s) and aligning the organisation around achieving it.
And it all starts with a vision.
A vision is an image you see in your mind. It's not a physical thing, it's not something you can touch - just yet.
By having a vision about the future, you get the chance to try and morph your world into that future, or bring that product to life, or design that new service. It's said that artists, inventors and scientists often use dreams and visions for major breakthroughs. (published, 2021)
All of my books start with a vision. All of my videos start with a vision. Every team I've ever run, has worked towards a vision.
Do we always achieve a vision perfectly? No. But without a vision you're at the mercy of just stumbling along one day at a time - moved by the visions of other people. And that's great if that's your thing. But if you're a leader or manager, or dare I say, visionary, then you'll need to have a vision - and be able to bring it to life.
The reason I encourage all managers to focus on creativity, communication skills and critical thinking as the basis for their behaviours and skills, is because all three are needed to bring about a bright future for yourself - and the business.
Vision, communication and critical thinking
You need to have a vision of the potential future(s). A vision of how things could be. A vision of something better. A vision for change. A vision of improvement. A vision for pursuing what is important to you, your business, your life.
A vision alone is not enough - you need creativity - the act of creating something that does not currently exist. This could be a book, a blog post, a new product, a nice home, wealth, health or a new future for the business.
The vision needs to be brought to life - and creativity is the key.
The chances are, especially in business, that you will also need some help. And this is where leadership is important - and extremely good communication skills.
You'll need to be able to articulate this bright future in a way that is so exciting, so compelling and so interesting, that people want to gather around you to help. This is leadership.
It's why I always say that a leadership job title does not mean you're a leader. Some leadership is merely role power in action. "Just do it because the boss said so".
That brings a weak connection to the work and a whole host of dysfunctional behaviours.
Positive communication behaviours are essential. You'll need to provide an emotional and compelling painted picture. You'll need to break the idea down, align people around it and keep focusing attention on the vision - this requires the ability to bring emotion - so that people, and the business, move into positive, bought-in motion.
Critical thinking is essential throughout all of this. Not all visions are good. Some are silly. Some are pointless. Some direct energy and attention from important work. Some are fanciful. Some are merely somebody's pet project. In business, we must use the investment and capital carefully - as though it was our own money. So applying even a smidgen of critical thinking is essential, to ensure we're not burning time, energy, attention and money for an untested vision.
You'll also need to apply critical analysis to the plan, to the use of resources, to the problems standing in your way and to the work that is produced. Does it meet the vision, is the vision right, are we doing the right work, when are we done, should we abandon this vision? Lots and lots of questions need asking throughout this whole journey. Good questions keep a business, and a vision, alive.
But it all starts with a vision. The dreaming of something better, something good, something meaningful, something important. How you define these things are personal and contextual to your business. This vision needs testing and carefully considering. And you'll need to work out how to move people into action through principles of effective communication.
If you can imagine it and see it in your mind - the chances are you can also get close to creating it. A lot of the success comes down to attention and focus - and morphing your life, and or business, towards this bright vision. It pays then to ensure it's the right thing. And if it is - make a decision to achieve it.
