To generate energy, put away the vision statement and personally strive to connect the hearts of the people you’re leading and working with.
Without that connection, you may have a peer-peer, or a employer-employee thing going on, or a bureaucratic boss-subordinate “relationship.” But people who don’t resonate heart to heart won’t try to change the world together. And if you’re not trying to change the world, you haven’t entered the realm of the Extreme Leader.
So how do you establish that connection?
By revealing yourself as a human being to those you hope to lead. So, instead of reciting a vision statement, feel the intent of that statement, reflect on the ideals that it represents, and take it all into your own heart. Then at every opportunity–whether you’re talking one-on-one or standing in front of a crowd–you say, in essence:
This is who I am, this is what I believe, this is what I think we can do together if we put our hearts into it. Look at how magnificent our future can be. Please join me and let’s help each other make this happen.
Then you can burn the Vision Statement, because, in effect, you have become it.
And the resulting connection is electric. Energy.
Generated straight from the heart.
there’s definitely a slow, beautiful sentiment arising. Share your authentic self… what you care about, what you yearn for, in what ways you want to make a difference
there’s definitely a slow, beautiful sentiment arising. Share your authentic self… what you care about, what you yearn for, in what ways you want to make a difference
It is true – without a clear vision of what we are doing employees will not put their hearts to it, because without a leader that can share that for them it will be only job. And that’s not enough to make a masterpiece…
It is true – without a clear vision of what we are doing employees will not put their hearts to it, because without a leader that can share that for them it will be only job. And that’s not enough to make a masterpiece…
Steve, great article. For vision to be effective, it must be clear, crisp, and compelling. I must understand it, can repeat, and drawn to it. Thanks for your comments.
Steve, great article. For vision to be effective, it must be clear, crisp, and compelling. I must understand it, can repeat, and drawn to it. Thanks for your comments.