The Leadership Excellence Series – The Visionary Leader
Purpose
This presentation, part of Toastmasters International’s Leadership Excellence Series, will assist members and clubs develop a vision. A vision is a clear, focused, desirable direction that will arrive at a specific destination. Its purpose is to provide general direction, and does not address details.
Characteristics of a Vision Statement
- Clear
- Challenging
- General
- People-oriented
- Easily-communicated
- Inspiring
Crafting a Vision
Answer the following questions to help develop a vision statement:
NOTE: “person” can be easily substituted in for “organization”
- 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?
- Willingness to achieve the vision.
- Control their own futures. A leader provides team members some control over their own futures by soliciting their input.
- Fosters cooperation and collaboration. Team members will be more aware that they can achieve the vision through cooperation and collaboration, which will make them a better team.
Communicating a Vision
- Talk about the vision all the time. Discuss it whenever possible, informally in conversations and formally in meetings, conferences, and publications. Describe the vision and why it is important.
- Explain how it will benefit them. People are more likely to support something if they will personally benefit in some way.
- Be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm is contagious.
- Show that you mean it. A leader’s action must be consistent with the vision. Actions show others the leader is intent on achieving the mission.
Conclusion
A vision is evolutionary. If an organization is to survive and grow, it will periodically need to update its vision. Changes can be swift and unexpected – opportunities arise, new technologies are developed. A leader that knows where an organization is going will be able to spot opportunities, use them, and benefit.
