Action 1: Vision vs. Execution

The first action that challenges Business Leaders is distinguishing between having a vision, and successfully executing on that vision.

Leaders have a clear vision. You’ve likely spent hours agonizing over the trajectory and direction of your team and your business. You have defined what success looks like, you’ve made plans, and you’ve communicated it to your people.

But is your team as passionate about your vision as you are? How do you inspire them? How do you gain alignment through your whole organization?

Profound Leaders empower others to achieve the vision as if it is their own, because…it is.

The best execution of a vision happens when your whole team shares the vision, not when it gets passed down like a mandate.

Which means, Profound Leaders excel at building a coalition and cultivating a shared vision among their teams. This isn’t easy. And it takes time. But it is well-worth the effort.

I often hear from business leaders, “I like the idea of a shared vision, but I don’t want to lose control of the vision either.” It’s a fair point. And it’s exactly why Profound Leadership takes effort.

Here are 2 things I focus on when coaching leaders to cultivate a shared vision in their organization, without feeling like you are losing the reins.

1) Share your vision ideas early and often. Gather input form others. Listen intently to people's concerns and suggestions. Share your vision with an open-end in mind, rather than a definitive mandate. Don't be afraid to alter the trajectory when you learn something new. Stay nimble and incorporate others' ideas. Building this ownership will ensure alignment later.

2) Make sure you know your 3 V’s.  

1. Values - all success starts with knowing your(your businesses) values.

2. Vision - the definition of your success if your values are implemented.

3. Vein - the pathway to get to your vision.

If you start with your 3V’s, and work collectively with your people, you will develop a shared vision that is clear, increases ownership throughout your team and keeps you feeling like you’re in the driver’s seat. You’ll find more on the 3 V’s in the 3rd section of my book Profound Space.

I encourage you to follow along in the conversation on LinkedIn this week where we continue to address vision execution as one of the top 8 challenges business leaders are facing today.

Go. Be. Profound.

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