Teams Need Vision Too

Executives spend vital time communicating their vision to the frontline. Kickoff meetings, employee broadcasts, town halls… all serve well to share important vision, values and goals.

What’s often lost in translation is how this plays out at the frontline. The vision feels bigger than day-to-day. So the frontline teams enjoy the message, and then get back to doing the work the same as they did yesterday.

To achieve breakthrough results, teams need vision too.

I see this every day in my own organization. Everyone gets the same message, some teams head off to make magic. Other just get by. The difference comes when teams make the vision their own. Teams are more energized with a vision they’ve had a hand in creating. Tangible vision creates purpose beyond day to goals. A strong team vision unites and inspires teamwork.

It’s easier than you think.

How to Create a Strong Team Vision

1. Start One on One

Talk to each team member offline about the possibilities for the team at it’s very best.

What would they be known for?
What would they accomplish?
How would the team be working together?

Define the future. Imagine possibilities.

2. Set the Stage

Schedule time where the team can work uniterrupted. 1/2 day works well. Bring some easel paper, markers and sticky notes.

3. Begin with the company vision and values.

Ensure everyone understands the bigger context. The team vision must directly support the overall vision and strategy.

4. Pick a technique or two and start brainstorming

Questions: Imagine it is 5 years from now. The team is being recognized for making a game changing contribution.

What is the most important work we are doing?
What are our customers saying about us?
What does it feel like to work on this team?
What is senior management saying about us?

Pictures: Ask each team to draw a picture (or articulate a metaphor) of the team at it’s very best. Invite everyone to share their vision with the team. The common themes provide glimpses to your ideal vision.

5. Turn the ideas into a bold statement of the desired future

“We will be known for the best customer service in the Nation.”

6. Determine how you measure success

“… as measured by NPS, repeat calls, and customer churn”

7. Identify specific behaviors

Identify behaviors that are needed from you (the leader), and each member of the team to make the vision a reality. Write them down. Create a matrix of what each key role must be doing to accomplish the vision

8. Stakeholder

Share your vision and key behaviors with your boss and other key players. Refine as needed to ensure your breakthrough vision is aligned with evolving strategy.

9. Get to work

Link everything you do and say back to the vision. Recognize early success. Be impatient (See Impatience as a Leadership Virtue) Support your stragglers. Teach your team to share their good work (See Powerful Presentations: Teaching Your Team to Talk Strategy.)

Call For Submissions

This month, the Let’s Grow Leaders Frontline Festival will focus on Values and Vision. Contact me through my blog Let’s Grow Leaders to learn more on how to submit your post.

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Karin Hurt

CEO at Let's Grow Leaders

Karin hurt is CEO of Let's Grow Leaders, a leadership consulting firm focused on helping companies achieve transformational results by building rock-solid frontline leadership teams.She has a diverse background of executive leadership experience in sales, customer service, call centers, human resources, merger integration, training and leadership development-- the last 20 years of which have been with Verizon.She most recently served as Executive Director of the Strategic Partnership Channel at Verizon Wireless where she transformed customer service outsourcing, working with companies and call centers to build great customer experiences and strong cultures. Her high-trust, high-collaboration approach has led to substantial improvement across the portfolio, with centers performing at parity or above internal centers.Prior to that she led a large Verizon Wireless sales team (2000+) leading the Nation in store sales to the Small and Medium business space. Her book, Overcoming an Imperfect Boss: A Practical Guide To Building a Better Relationship With Your Boss is available on Amazon. Karin has an BA in Communication from Wake Forest University, an MA from Towson University in Organizational Communication, and additional graduate work at the University of Maryland, where she taught communications classes.She was recently recognized as one of the top 100 thought leaders in Trusted Business Behavior by Trust Across America and as Multiplier of the Year by the Wiseman Group.Karin lives in Baltimore with her husband and two sons. She knows the long road of the marathon runner and the joy of good song, all of which inform her leadership.