Changing up our long time career direction is not something any of us take lightly. After all, if we are happy with what we are doing and feel fulfilled, maybe there is no need to re-set our compasses. If you look back to the last time you performed a complete “check-up” on your leadership vision, what might you discover?
“I never executed a full evaluation of my leadership strategies.”
“I have no idea what my leadership vision is all about.”
“Who has time to pursue a leadership vision?”
“I am just fine at this point in my leadership. No need to topple this apple cart.”
There may be some truth to staying with a particular course and not shaking things up in order to find some new path to explore. Yet, when we ask ourselves if there is any area we have heard or read about that seems exciting, and the answer is yes, we know there is reason to dabble a bit further.
So what does it mean to have a leadership vision?
A leadership vision describes what we want our best future leadership to look like. It serves to keep us on track to achieve our compelling goals. Every decision and choice we make should fold into our leadership vision.
Here are some strategies to help you reboot your leadership vision:
Ask yourself: Who do you want to be?
A vision is future focused which means we are not there yet.
- What do you want your ideal leadership to look like?
- What do you want to be known for?
- How would you describe your dream services or products?
- Where do you want your leadership to take you?
[Tweet “A Leadership Vision is understanding your future direction.”]
Create meaningful goals that stretch you
Our leadership vision needs to stretch us and reflect our “big hairy goals”. This is the time to dream about areas that have fascinated us and we know will grow our career. The goals must also incorporate our core values such as our need to be with people, or our desire to be involved in cutting-edge research, or even our belief that being in a nurturing work environment cultivates our creativity.
Develop a logo or picture of your leadership
There’s nothing like an image to help us see our vision more clearly. The old adage- “a picture is worth a 1000 words” can clarify where we ideally want to head. Illustrations can often spark feelings within us and awaken deep-seeded ideas that we may have buried. Let the artist inside of you design a perfect picture.
[Tweet “An image can help you describe your leadership vision.”]
Bounce your ideas off a valued supporter
It can be very informative to share your leadership vision with a person who knows our work and us. It has to be a trusted person who we go for advice and value their counsel. When we are open to another set of eyes and thinking, we can hear the feedback and pounce on it.
Integrate your vision
Once we decide on our leadership vision we need to incorporate it in every project and communication. To strive towards our vision we may also need to take a course or attain a new certification. Just keep your vision in front of you at all times to point you in the right direction.
What other ways would help reboot your leadership vision?
It can feel scary to run it by your supporters but you may be surprised what you discover. When people found out that I left my corporate position and started my own coaching business, they reflected things back to me about myself that I was unaware. They helped solidify my vision and direction through their honest and caring assessment.
Reboots often happen more than once. Great jumpstart to this round!
~ Alli
Really like your idea Alli of running one’s vision by the people we most trust and who know us. They can provide some additional ways to see our vision and even help us move it forward. I think it’s fascinating that your co-workers knew so much about your gifts and were able to help you see the amazing journey that awaited you.
Thanks Alli!
Terri – I love the idea of an image or a picture to describe the leadership vision!
Do you have one?
Chery, I actually use more of a leadership coat of arms that has sections for my mantras, inspirational pics and words to guide me. I think your logo very much reflects what a strong, ever-burning leader you are. What pics would you choose?
Terri, This is great. I am a HUGE believer in having a leadership vision and refreshing it regularly. I actually do a similar exercise with my MBA students that I call Building Your Leadership Credo.
I also see real value in creating a team level vision as well… in fact just did this yesterday with one of my favorite clients 😉
What a terrific idea- a team vision! We do need to revisit our leadership vision periodically even if we think things are going well. It is helpful to take stock in whether or not the vision still makes sense and whether or not we want to make adjustments. In our ever-changing work worlds, we need to make sure our leadership vision is still relevant to the work and world around us.
Thanks Karin!