How to Establish a Vision Your Team Can Rally Behind

We've talked about why having a vision statement matters (click here, if you missed it).  

A vision statement provides your team with direction, keeps everyone aligned, and gives people something meaningful to rally around. But knowing you need one and actually creating one that sticks are two very different things. 

Listen First, Write Later 

Before you sit down to write anything, talk to your people. I mean really talk to them. I don’t mean casual conversation, I mean really get their opinions. Run surveys, have one-on-ones, host focus groups. Anything to get their take on what they see as the ultimate dream of the organization.  

And if you feel like having a little guidance would be helpful, consider bringing in an outside facilitator. 

Find the Patterns 

Now take all that input and look for the themes. What keeps coming up? What challenges does everyone mention? What gets people excited?  

This is collaboration in action. As an executive leader, your job is to help connect the dots and to elevate the conversation. Rally your team to get them excited. Your behavior cues everyone else to how much value should be placed on the vision, so be invested in this process.  

Draft Something People Can Visualize 

When you write your vision statement, make it descriptive enough that people can picture it. It should answer the question, “What are we aiming for? Where are we headed?” So, dream big! Just make sure it’s grounded in purpose and reality.  

Make It a Conversation, Not an Announcement 

Here's my favorite part: take that draft back to the people who helped create it. Ask them if it feels right. Is it inspiring? Does it capture what you all talked about? Let them poke holes in it.  

When people help shape the vision, they own it. And when they own it, they'll work toward it. 

Keep It Alive 

Don't just announce your vision once and call it done. Talk about it in meetings. Reference it in emails. Bring it up at town halls. And check in on it every quarter or so — does it still fit where you want to be headed? 

Creating a vision isn't something you do once and forget about. It's ongoing and guides everything you do. When you build it with your team instead of handing it down to them, it stops being just words on your website. It becomes the shared direction that gives everyone purpose. 

Want more insight on creating your vision statement? Book a Discovery Call!