1. The Leadership Excellence Series
The Visionary Leader
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2. What Is a Vision?
A vision is a mental picture of what an organization aspires to become. 1

3. Purpose of a Vision Statement
Provides a general direction
Provides context for decision making
Affects an organization’s structure
Affects working relationships 2

4. Characteristics of a Vision Statement
Vision statements are:
Clear
Challenging
General
People-oriented
Inspiring
Easily communicated 3

5. Crafting a Vision Statement
What does the organization do well?
What is the most important thing the organization wants to do?
What makes the organization unique or special?
What does the team expect from the organization?
What makes the team feel good about the organization? 4

6. Crafting a Vision Statement
Involve Team Members
Willingness to achieve the vision
Control their own futures
Fosters cooperation and collaboration 5

7. Communicating a Vision
Help the Team Embrace the Vision
Talk about the vision all the time
Explain how it will benefit them
Be enthusiastic
Show that you mean it 6

8. – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Conclusion
If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.
– Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 7