1.5 - About University

Levels of Statements1. High-Level StatementsTerms to select from:vision, mission, purpose,direction, values,mandate, operatingphilosophy, principles,charter, scope, longrangeplan, overall goals,overall objectives, overallresults, strategy, the corebusiness, environmentalscan. Colloquially, thebig picture.Connected toExternalNeedsTimeLong-term,enduringFlow of StatementsLogicBigpicture,inclusiveCommitmentInspiring,visionary2. Mid-Level StatementsTerms to select from:objectives, short-term orspecific goals, targets,expected results, keyresult or service areas,accomplishments, coreprocesses,accountabilities,measurements, customerservice commitments,outputs, improvementtargets.Connected toOrganizationalNeedsConnected toDay-to-DayNeedsShort-term,updatefrequentlySpecific,detailedActionoriented3. Action-Level StatementsTerms to select from:short-term plans, activitylists, critical events, tactics,roadmaps, processplans, next steps.Amount of DetailH OW TO USE THIS LEADERSHIP TOOL“Requiring everyone to continually ‘nest his or her vision’ in new practices or a continuationof the old … can produce increased understanding of what is worth doing and what is not.”—Alan Wilkins, DEVELOPING CORPORATE CHARACTERIf you, as a leader, don’t provide any structure, people will feel that there is no mechanism orprocess through which they can contribute. If you provide too much detail and structure,however, people will feel that “It’s a done deal,” and their contributions are not required.Thus, we suggest this minimal level of structure for designing directional statements:➊➋As the leader, start by defining your givens—the minimum specifications of either contentor process that you feel are essential elements of the directional statements.Explain and discuss your thinking with your workgroup. Then ask each member ofyour workgroup to draft each level of directional statement within the agreed guidelineson his or her own. The table provided here will assist in this process.SECTION 2 TOOLS FOR BIG-PICTURE THINKING 49