A vision is an emotionally compelling picture of the future that sparks an inner yes.
The future belongs to those who sense possibilities before they become obvious to everyone. A vision makes such possibilities tangible – for your own life as much as for a team, a club or an entire organization.
The quality in detail
Four steps through the quality: understand, check, connect, apply. Open any topic to read more.
The core messageWhat the quality means – and what it doesn’t
A vision is a picture of the future so compelling that it sparks an inner yes in you and in others. That yes moves people to invest time, energy and resources.
- It does not mean
- That a vision is a numerical target or a mission statement on paper. It has to move people and be clearly in view; otherwise it has no effect.
- That you have to come up with the vision on your own. It is strongest when others can see themselves in it.
- Strictly speaking
- The effect of visions is well documented, including over years and in experiments. Vivid language and a link to who people can become make it stronger.
- That a vision wins agreement says nothing about whether it is right. Research also often fails to separate vision cleanly from charisma – so a stirring picture needs scrutiny and a plan.
- Applies to
- Every community with a future: the company and its strategy, the church and its mission, the club and its goals, the family and its life together, and your own life plan.
The explanationWhat the quality means and why it matters
A vision is an emotionally compelling picture of the future that sparks an inner yes in the leader and their people and moves them to invest their resources. – Titus Lindl
Without a vision, drive often fades, impact weakens, and people start to feel they are going in circles. A vision carries most strongly when people can see themselves in it.
The signs3 signs the quality is present · 3 that it is missing
- The people you are on the way with can describe the vision in their own words and say what they contribute to it.
- You paint a concrete picture of the future instead of just citing key figures.
- Decisions are measured against the vision, and you also say no to good ideas that don’t fit it.
- You and the people around you work hard but feel you are going in circles.
- The vision hangs on the wall or sits on the website; in everyday life no one talks about it.
- Every new idea gets pursued, and departments or groups pull in different directions, because no one can say where the journey is heading.
The research7 sources: 4 primary studies, 2 theories, 1 review · 1993–2014 · with the limits of the research
- low
- moderate
- high
High – Visionary and charismatic leadership; vision communication.
- 1993Boas Shamir, Robert J. House & Michael B. Arthur
Charismatic leadership works through followers’ self-concept.
- 1996Shelley A. Kirkpatrick & Edwin A. Locke
Vision content affects attitudes and performance.
- 1998J. Robert Baum, Edwin A. Locke & Shelley A. Kirkpatrick
Longitudinal: vision and vision communication predict the growth of young ventures.
- 2001Yair Berson et al.
Strength and content of visions are linked to leadership style and context.
- 2014Andrew M. Carton, Chad Murphy & Jonathan R. Clark
Vision imagery improves coordination and performance.
- 2014Daan Stam et al.
Model: visions work when followers see themselves in them (possible selves).
- 2014Daan van Knippenberg & Daan Stam
Handbook chapter: visionary leadership research and its critique.
The effect of visions has been shown in longitudinal and experimental studies. One review criticizes that vision is rarely measured cleanly apart from charismatic leadership.
The originJohn C. Maxwell · “Vision”
- 1999OriginJohn C. Maxwell
The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, Quality 21
- VisionIn essence: you can seize only what you can first see.
- todayWEGVISOR: Vision
The WEGVISOR version is called “Vision” and uses its own definition: “A vision is an emotionally compelling picture of the future that sparks an inner yes.” The effect of visions is well documented; keep in mind that agreement says nothing about whether a vision is right.
The related qualities and lawsL14 Buy-In · Q03 Commitment · L04 Navigation · L09 Magnetism
A strong vision alone is not enough. People say an inner yes to the picture once they trust the person painting it.
The vision shows the goal; commitment keeps you on the way. Without the leader’s visible commitment, every vision loses power.
The vision says where you are going, the plan says how. Without a plan the vision remains a dream; without a vision the plan has no aim.
A clear vision attracts people who share the same picture. Make sure this does not produce a team of people who are all alike.
The action points5 stages of growth – from first awareness to passing it on
- Become aware Take ten quiet minutes and write down what should be different in three years for you to say: that was worth it.
- Lay the foundations This week, write one sentence that sums up your picture of the future, and say it out loud once to a person you trust.
- Make it a habit Every week, test one upcoming decision against whether it brings you closer to your picture of the future, and explain the connection to those involved as you do.
- Deepen deliberately Within the next two weeks, ask three people you work closely with to describe your vision in their own words, and hold on to it when short-term pressure speaks against it in the next decision.
- Pass it on This quarter, invite the people you are on the road with to help shape the vision, and enable them to carry it forward in their own words, so that it stays alive even when you are not in the room.
The reflection questions5 questions for you or a conversation with others
- Can I describe my vision in two sentences so that others can picture it?
- Does this vision still spark an inner yes in me?
- Where do the people I work with see themselves in this vision – and where not?
- How do I notice in everyday life whether our decisions follow the vision – even where I am not present?
- Who is allowed to scrutinize my vision before I win others over to it?
Take your time with one question. Write down your answer – or talk it over with someone you trust.
The picture to rememberAll paths converge on a point on the horizon. There, the picture of the future shines.
- All paths converge on a point on the horizon.
- There, the picture of the future shines.
What vision looks like in practice
When the museum burned, he pitched a tent
P.T. Barnum dreamed of entertainment for every class – with outsiders like the bearded lady and General Tom Thumb in the spotlight. When his museum burned down, he held on to the vision and started over with a circus tent.
Why first: three questions that change leadership
Why? How? What? Simon Sinek shows that inspiring leaders start with “why” and only then talk about how and what. He cites Martin Luther King Jr. and Apple as examples of mobilizing people this way.
One memo, one speech, one man on the Moon
In April 1961 Kennedy asked in a memo whether the US could land a man on the Moon and return him safely. Soon after, he committed the nation to it – the goal outlived setbacks and his death and came true with Apollo 11 in 1969.
