Developing Shared Vision: Leadership

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Introduction

Shared vision is an expression of a common goal or objective by people within an organization with the aim of attaining a specific vision. It puts emphasis on the connection and relationship between shared vision and leadership. A leader should have the drive and belief that a vision can be accomplished. He should inspire and motivate people who can assist in the implementation of this vision. Shared vision is a result of efficient leadership, but above all, the best aspect of leadership is influence.

Leaders can choose to share this vision with others by exercising influence. Stakeholders should also be helpful in the shaping-up of the vision. It is said that it is only leaders who are confident in what they do in terms of giving power and responsibilities to others without the fear of competition. Part of the ability to empower employees and building an organization with commitment is granting them the chance to participate in the long term success of an organization. This can be done by recognizing their strengths and abilities and maximizing on them.

Developing a Shared Vision

A shared vision is part of the culture of an organization. Culture is crucial because it brings reformation in terms of progress by establishing a firm foundation of implementation of policies. Culture is the main purpose of team work. This is a significant aspect of shared vision because it gives clarification that for the goals to be attained within a short period, team work is a major factor that should be put into consideration. Therefore, the shared vision should be stimulating and motivating so that people can have great zeal for it. A leader should strive to make everyone understand the shared vision so that individuals can work together towards the attainment of the goals set by the stakeholders.

A shared vision has to be higher that the mission statement of the organization. It has to involve the purpose, goals, missions and values unlike the mission statement which only focuses on the objectives and goals. Lack of discipline amongst the leaders might lead to failure of the translation of the shared vision. Building a shared vision needs an establishment of a particular perspective regarding the situation at hand. It involves exposing the future plans of the organization and the various methods to be used to ensure achievement. Leaders should acknowledge its importance and ability to interpret personal visions all in the aim of accomplishing the main shared vision. This vision will therefore propagate the nature of individuals to commit and be enthusiastic in the organization. This will later enhance clarity and transparency of this vision.

“The Leadership Challenge,” Fourth Edition, is full of stories that would inspire people to aim higher in life. The book includes stories of common people who have accomplished great things. The author claims that the major theme is that everyone should be involved in leadership no matter their position in the organization. The book contains case studies and research findings with analyses of the importance of dedicated leaders in achieving goals. It focuses on business leaders who have influenced the global community.

These are the steps followed in the development of shared vision from the book “The Leadership Challenge,” by Kouzes, James, and & Posner, Barry.

Get the right people on board

This involves having the appropriate people to work together. Many times, the right people may only be the employees but in other cases, some major stakeholders or team members may be involved. The determinant factor is their level of commitment as well as different ideas they may raise that could assist in implementing the shared vision.

Preparation

In some scenarios where the vision is complex, it could take a whole day to prepare. The best location while doing this is away from the organization’s premises. This would mean that there is less interruption and the level of creativity among people is enhanced. This is because their minds could be stimulated by being away from the work environment. If the teams are dispersed, then the meetings held should exist. The group involved in preparation should consider using someone who can hardly compromise on integrity and is unbiased. A leader will be relieved from conducting the meeting and instead focus on putting all points together for a final analysis. Dialogue should be encouraged because information should constantly flow and nobody should hesitate to make suggestions. After all ideas are raised, they are later analyzed and the best are written down for the sake of the development of the shared vision.

Determine appropriate input to the vision

The meeting should be scheduled ahead of time so that room for preparation is established. Reviewing of documents should be done ahead of time so that the necessary participants may also have enough time to prepare. Survey results, market research and competitor analysis are some of the documents that require early reviews and analysis. As a leader, one should show the importance of preparation for the purpose of participation, and also establish room for follow-up. This is so that the participants may ensure that they are totally ready for the work at hand. Follow-ups are essential because the leader is able to challenge some of the ideas raised before they are shared. This is very crucial because if a vision should be developed, then everyone should be allowed to give input of high standards. A leader should also concentrate on including guest speakers whether from within the company or outside for the sake of better ideas in the early stages of the agenda. Some of the senior leaders within the organization can assist in discussing leadership development impacts and strategies formulated within the company. External guests can be called in to assist in developing appropriate trends and practices.

Set the stage

As the meeting commences, the group leader should come up with rules that will govern behavior and work procedures within the organization. There should also be a review of the expected outcomes and a proper layout of the main agenda. At this stage time is of great essence as there has to be common ground established that will check the level of agreement and understanding so that conflict hardly arises. Collaboration and consensus is promoted so that communication channels are properly implemented. This will also ensure that time is spent wisely and resources are used appropriately.

Create and use a process that ensures full participation, openness, creativity and efficiency

This is the stage where the team needs a plan and a process. Moreover this is a formal meeting and cannot be treated as the other ordinary meetings that are held everyday. If possible the leader may design the plan and if any help is needed he may need to consult a facilitator from outside. Below is the process that can be used in formulation procedure.

Give details and enough information to the group on what a vision statement is and its significance. Examples should be given to help explain and enhance better understanding.
Inquire from the rest of the team what their views would be on the future of this project. They should give their opinion on what success is and how they think it can be achieved in a certain amount of time. It is also good to know their personal standards and expectations towards the project and what form of motivation they thought was necessary in accomplishing this. What would they want the general public to say when given the opportunity to comment on the project long after its establishment?
These ideas from the previous point should be created on flipcharts by groups or individuals. The group should be given ample time to give a response of the desired future in detail. Phrases, pictures or diagrams can be used to express this information extensively. This will help everyone involved get a better understanding of the points to be reviewed.
To help in the incorporation of the members ideas in the main shared vision, there should be a system of reporting to the larger teams after the small teams are through with their work. Leaders should desist from being the first ones to report so that nothing is compromised and their level of credibility is verified.
Each vision should be clearly stated down along with the concepts involved and how it is to be achieved. The leader should be attentive so as to note on the flip chart the main outlines and ideas shared. He should then clarify the questions and allow everyone to raise an opinion. This phase gives no room for evaluation.
The phrases written down from the previous stages are to be summed up and divided by three then everyone allowed the chance to vote. The vote is barely based on decision making and this should be explained to the rest of team. However these votes will check if the group is still in agreement or the differences are ever increasing.
After this, the phrases that received most votes are read out to the group and discussed in full length so as the level of agreement is analyzed. Those that received the least votes are also evaluated and people give reasons for that. Arguments emerge and eventually the one with the least votes may end up being accepted unlike in the beginning.
The leader has the authority to make final decisions just in case the rest of the team had difficulty in reaching a consensus. Issues may arise such that none of the members can agree on anything. This is where the leader can exercise his level of authority. The meeting should be adjourned by stating the phrases that will develop the vision statement.
Do the grunt works off line
Group time should be used wisely and hardly for creating the vision statement. A leader is responsible for that and should find time to do it. The outliers should be consulted when the output given is disputed. The vision should be connected to the various needs and interests. In some cases, people are given the chance to leave instead of disagreeing with what the leader says.
Re-convene the group and review the draft vision statement
This meeting is shorter and can be conducted through a conference call. The points presented should be short and precise.
Review the draft with key extended stakeholders that were not at the meeting
This is the time when other people are involved in the reviewing of the vision. These people may include customers, suppliers, peers and managers who are directly involved in the organization’s affairs. This is an opportunity to get better ideas and receive criticism for the ideas raised. This will help improve the input and build a stronger support system from those who matter. Here the shared vision can ne greatly improved.
Communicate the vision and begin to make it a reality
A vision is merely a dream and can only become a reality if goals are set and action plans implemented. The team should do this as the next step and it may require another meeting. The vision should be communicated in a way that is inspiring and understood by everyone. Creativity is very crucial so that images and stories are told in better way.

In conclusion, developing a shared vision is necessary for the organization to achieve its intended goals in the future. All members of the organization should take their rightful place of leadership where placed and ensure things are done. Team work is very crucial in the implementation of the vision since everyone has to be responsible and give their best to achieve their attained goals. If implemented, the organization is guaranteed to improve and the workers would feel motivated in the work environment.

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