“Vision without Action is a daydream. Action without Vision is a nightmare.” -Japanese Proverb
Our daughter is a certified professional chef. Whenever I accompany her in the kitchen, I am amazed as she combines various ingredients – some of which I think should not normally go together. She knows which are great combinations based on her knowledge and experience. She explains that some ingredients, when tasted separately, can be boring or unappetizing – even in small quantities. Yet, when skillfully combined with another such ingredient, you get a truly exciting and tasty combination! She mixes anchovies (small brined fish), oil, eggs, and a few other things to make an incredible Caesar salad dressing. Really?! Sure, I can understand combinations like chocolate and peanut butter, ham and eggs, and macaroni and cheese. How about, “Crazy Cake” containing vinegar and cocoa? You’ve got to be kidding! Yet, when I taste her completed creations, I cannot argue with the mouth-watering results! Am I motivated to get more? You bet!!
Just like me in the kitchen, some people use a recipe for success by relying on a Strategic Plan alone to help them achieve the results they desire. After all, it just makes logical sense to put a plan together to know “who” needs to do “what” by “when”. They have heard it works for others. So, if they muster up enough commitment, and work the plan, that alone should do it right?
Well, if they are at all human, the answer would be a responding, “No”. Depending solely on a Strategic Plan of action will, in the end, turn out to be boring, one dimensional, and discouraging. That’s why many Plans get abandoned and stuck in a drawer somewhere. Face it. If a Strategic Plan alone is used as the main ingredient for success, it will be lacking that certain something to give it a one-two punch to make those involved want to dig in, crave more, and keep going. It’s the same for you. That’s precisely why you need to add a detailed, written Vision to your Strategic Plan. Likewise, depending on Vision alone for success will leave you hoping after a dream without any plan to bring it to reality. The “magic” happens when a Strategic Plan is combined with your clear, fresh Vision of your desired future. You see, the Vision portion will bring your Plan to life by helping to answer the “why” we need to push to accomplish the actions set out in the Plan. So why does adding Vision to the mix become so important? Consider these 5 strong reasons…
1. Vision touches the emotion – Strategy does not. As a professional speaker, I have been taught that if you want to motivate your audience, you are more likely to move them to take action if you can reach out and touch their emotions with your message. The same is true with your vision – whether your target audience is you, your department, or your organization.
“Vision animates, inspires, and transforms purpose into action.” -Warren Bennis
2. Vision makes it a “personal” connection – Strategy does not. Any person who has a part in the Strategic Plan naturally is always “tuned-in” to WIIFM – (What’s In It For Me). What is their personal reason to become and stay involved? Unlike your Strategic Plan which basically says, “just do it because it says so”, your Vision helps to provide perspective to their involvement; to remind everyone how his personal efforts are important and work in concert with the others toward the larger, overall goal.
“It’s not what the Vision is, it’s what the Vision does!” – Peter Senge
3. Vision aligns expectations – Strategy just sets the bar and calls the shots. An effective, written Vision should provoke questions leading to dialogue among participants about what success should look like. If the Vision is detailed and clear, expectations of the desired outcomes should be obvious to all involved. The chances of unmet expectations on the part of participants will be greatly diminished as they can more easily align their personal aspirations and goals to that of the organization.
“To the person who does not know where he wants to go there is no favorable wind.” -Seneca
4. Vision paints full, in-depth, color pictures – A Strategic Plan is one-dimensional. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Imagine the clarity and detail a two-thousand word Vision described in detail could paint about what success could look like five years from now with accomplished goals!
“You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” – Mark Twain
5. Vision motivates to press on to the goal – A Strategic Plan can appear as a never ending journey of tasks. We want what our mind’s eye can clearly see as a mental picture. Vision sums it up. Vision inspires as we see the ultimate image of success, unlike the long list of tasks in the Strategic Plan.
“A Vision is not just a picture of what could be: it is an appeal to our better selves, a call to become something more.” -Rosabeth Moss Kanter
Is your future brighter than your past?
Consider my proven prize winning recipe for your Success… Add one part fresh, clear Vision with one part Strategic Planning. Then, add a full quantity of your organization’s culture, board, and talented personnel. Stir and mix thoroughly, but gently. Spice to taste periodically, as needed. Note that some heating may occur during the process, but always allow to cool. Set timer for 5-years, but maintain attention and involvement at all times or serious injury can occur. As you monitor the on-going process, stir the mixture periodically as some voids, settling, or crusting may occur. When the timer goes off, be sure to top off with a big dollop of gratitude for everyone and enjoy the sweet taste of Success!
Jack C. Randall, CIC, PCLA, PFMM is a visionary leadership authority who helps leaders and organizations facing tough decisions achieve maximum profitability through clarity, direction, and strategic solutions.
As a Speaker, Trainer, Executive Coach, and Consultant, Jack can help you and your organization gain the insight, tools, and strategies to become more focused, more effective, more successful, and more profitable.
For more information, Jack can be reached at: Jack@WindmillLeadership.com or 816-617-4823.