Bringing Your Vision Statement to Life

We have all sat through meetings during which the group comes up with a carefully worded vision statement. These statements are posted on the walls inside of each building, in board rooms, and added to our email signatures. Often the statement is added to the other environmental noise that stakeholders ignore because there is simply too much other important information to consider. 

An intentional, well-designed vision statement does not have to become noise. It can be a roadmap for your organization. Let’s discuss four keys to a highly impactful vision statement. 

1. Begin with your end-user in mind.

As you start the process of creating a vision statement, it is crucial that the entire team focuses on the end-user. Leaders can place an item at the center of the table that symbolizes the end-user. When working with school districts, we often place a small chair at the center of the room or table and consistently refer back to the child that fills this seat. 

• What is the primary benefit that we can offer this child for the future?

• What is it that this child needs from our organization?

2. Lean into the “why” for your organization.

Every organization exists for a reason and each member of the organization has their own reason for being there.  Sometimes this reason can become mired in the day to day operations or external pressures that pull away the focus on the “why.” Therefore, as you consider the vision you have for the future, keep in mind the core reason for the work you are doing. For some organizations this is already clearly obvious and for others it is important to begin here. If you are unsure about how clear the “why” is with your team or want to learn more about your team, I suggest starting here. Host an intentionally facilitated discussion about why the organization exists and why each person is a part of the team. This can uncover strengths and weaknesses within the organization. To learn more about establishing your team’s “why,” check out this post. 

3. Consider what motivates the members of your organization into action. 

To bring a vision to reality, leaders and staff need to have a call to action. They need to see themselves as being able to bring the vision into reality. The team creating the vision should carefully consider how others will be able to see themselves contributing to the vision. 

4. Represent the vision in a visually appealing, easy to read, and memorable way.

Presenting the vision in a clear and concise way is key to ensuring that everyone who sees the vision will understand what the entire organization is working toward. These visuals can be created into posters, infographics for social media, or other simple graphics. Regardless of what the image is, it is helpful to include strategies that will help the vision become a reality.