1.5 - About University

2.4 V ISIONING AND V ISION S TATEMENTSInspired by Peter Block, John Kotter, and Peter Senge.A key distinction of a leader is the ability to shape the future. The starting point for this is aclear vision. Sports psychologists are clear: World-class athletes spend considerable time visualizingthe superior performances they desire to attain. This tool will assist you with visioning,then writing a compelling vision statement. The vision of this tool is to inspire you to create,with others, an inspiring vision!Some principles for establishing a powerful vision are:✔✔✔✔✔✔It is different from goals and objectives (time-limited targets aligned with the vision).It needs to inspire and motivate the hearts and minds of others, creating a picture of abetter future and a shared sense of direction, while enrolling others in aligned action.It pushes people beyond their comfortable routines, while respecting the past, by beingrooted in the realities of customers, shareholders, employees, markets, and other environmentalforces.It needs to be strategic, based in customer and client needs, the touchstone for futuredecisions and plans, encouraging accountable actions that are congruent with thevision.It may never be totally achieved; neither is it pie-in-the-sky, turning off the concretethinkingpeople needed to attain the vision.It can be explained in five minutes or less; if it can’t, you will have lost the attentionand interest of others.It is dangerous to use an existing vision as an example of a well-crafted vision, because successfulorganizations ebb and flow. Your best bet for current exemplars is to search the Websites of organizations you admire. One example is Ford Motor Company:“Our vision is to be the world’s leading automotive company, from the viewpoint of our customers,shareholders, and employees. To achieve that vision, we’re rebuilding our companyaround a simple premise: Everything we do must maximize the quality and value of our productsfor our customers, or we shouldn’t do it. By creating the greatest value for our customersat the lowest cost to Ford, we’ll increase our company’s value to our shareholders.”SECTION 2 TOOLS FOR BIG-PICTURE THINKING 51