Inspire a Shared Vision
LEADERS LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE. They hold in their minds visions and ideas of what can be. They have a sense of what is uniquely possible when everyone works together for a common purpose. Leaders know that bringing meaning to life in the present by focusing on making life better in the future is essential to making extraordinary things happen.
But visions seen only by leaders are not enough to make extraordinary things happen. They must help others to see the exciting future possibilities and communicate their hopes and dreams so that others clearly understand and share them as their own. They must show other people how their own values and interests will be served by a long‐term vision of the future. By expressing their enthusiasm and excitement for the vision, through making strong appeals and using quiet persuasion, they enlist enthusiastic supporters.
To Inspire a Shared Vision, you envision the future by imagining exciting and ennobling possibilities, and you enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations.
WHAT IS A VISION?
We define vision as an ideal and unique image of the future for the common good. A vision articulates a realistic, credible, attractive condition that is better in some important ways than what exists. To inspire others, you need to be able to state what's unique and distinctive about your vision. You ...
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