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Mastering Vision and Goals for Effective Team Leadership

Writer's picture: Austin J. CrawfordAustin J. Crawford

Updated: Feb 3

Road trip! Daytona Beach Florida! Circa 2000. 

The teenage boys were ready for their trip. Their car was loaded, and their spirits were high. They exclaimed, “This is going to be the best spring break we’ve ever had.” We all shared a grand vision for this trip. We set high bars for it to be life changing. We wanted it to be an epic journey, grandiose to say the least. 

We’re off, down the road, and now several long hours into our trip… 

Controlled chaos, laughter, and loud music filled the car… Guess what? We’re somewhere near Birmingham, AL!!! 2.5 hours in the wrong direction; and out of the way…. 

— “What the heck!? We’re way off track guys…” someone finally stated in discovery… 

Now in our defense, it not like we could just recalculate our navigation system, or check our iPhone Maps. Nonetheless someone probably should have been paying better attention to our Mapquest (flight plan) & turn- by-turns! — ugh! How stupid!?

Now, at the base level of any successful team is the evidence of a clear, action-inspired vision. Vision is the destination, but the roadmap is also apart it

Did our car full of boys (the team) have the Vision? …and was it clear? Yes.

Did we have actionable steps to achieve (a flight plan)? We did.

Did we get off course because we stopped looking at our turn by turns (goals)? It would appear so…

Was it easy for us to get lost in “the idea” of Florida? Did we forget about the importance of the ‘how to’ and the ‘what’s next?’ – Maybe…? —but recognizing, adjusting, and refocusing can get us back on course. Not every goal will be hit the first time.

Are you sharing the whole road map with your team? Are you only painting a ‘bright & shiny’ picture of what the destination could or should be? Are you neglecting the details?? The image of ‘what could be’ is part of it. On the other side of that vision is the road map (flight plan) to get you there. 

Next step in manifesting your vision: get your team excited about the roadmap too. Encourage them to see more than just the ‘could be’. Vision combines both inspiring imagery and prompts action. Shared objectives simplify the vision. Fostering a sense of purpose makes the ‘steps to get there’ simple to execute. As leaders, or aspiring ones, we must clearly coach the actions. We also need to clearly express the big picture (imagery). Control the chaos in the car; lead the team. Point out the roadmap, remind every one of their goals. Guide them in the right direction. 

Vision & Goals… go hand in hand. Effective goal setting is a process: Identify, Weigh & Act.

Building the turn-by-turns involves not just the identification of an outcome (destination). It also ensures that the turn-by-turns are realistic and attainable. We can’t turn left off a bridge or drive our car across the ocean. 

Move to setting & prioritizing (or weighing) out each turn (goal).  — Which turns and curves on this road are most efficient to get us to our destination?? Left and right both get us there, but right is more fuel efficient.

Finally… we have to ACT on the refined goal list based on importance.  But the key here is you need to drive the car actually. You must be on the trip and take the steps. You have to stay in motion for anything to manifest. You cant just dream of the destination and wake up there… 

Vision serves as the destination and the roadmap…Goals are the turn-by-turns… We need them both. So take the next steps to bring your vision to fruition by:

  • share your vision from the roof tops (paint the picture) & make sure it aligns the moral and cultural foundations (for the benefit) of your team… 

  • build a flight plan (review your road map)

  • set/define your turn by turns (goals)

  • weight/refine and review your (directions) goals continuously 

  • Go! Do it now. Take action.  

At the end of the day… you can paint the picture and have a vision for an epic destination. But you just have to get in the car and take the trip.

Be determined.  Be confident. Be the leader you’ve always wanted. 

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