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This is Part 4 in a series of articles that introduce the main ideas about Reflection Leadership.
Since we know that leadership is about leading others, when we talk about leadership we tend to focus on others: how do we develop them, how do we motivate them, etc. But effective leadership needs to be about more than just personnel work. Leaders are expected (and frankly should be required) to have a vision. This is true of leaders in all levels of the organization. The size and scope of the leader’s vision should be relative to the position of leadership that they hold. Those leading entire organizations should have a vision that includes the whole organization. Those leading teams should have a vision that is relative to the work of the team that is in congruence with the organizational vision.
In the context that I’m using it, vision is not some ethereal dream. When I think about it in this context, vision is about recognizing a future state (point B if you will) and figuring out how to get there from our current state (point A). These are really two different things, recognizing the future state and the figuring out how to get there. Effective leaders need to be able to do the first part but it takes more than just recognizing the future state. Effective leaders also have to be able to articulate that future state in such a way that everyone can clearly see the end goal. If I cannot clearly articulate where I want us to be heading, everyone will be confused and may end up working at cross purposes.
Once I have clearly articulated the future state, to be an effective leader I need to help everyone understand what I think needs to be done to get us there. Truly effective leaders will understand the need not to micromanage the details of getting from point A to point B. If the vision is clearly articulated and guidance has been given on how to get there, it is important to let those closest to the action figure out how to do the work needed.
Practicing Vision Reflection
Vision Reflection is what can help us to be able to create, share, and work towards a vision. Being able to stop and reflect is essential to vision work. If we are caught up in the day-to-day grind, we will never be able to see past the trees to be able to recognize the forest we are in. Vision Reflection allows us to clearly see where we are so that we can decide where we need to go next. Visions should never be created on a whim so taking time to reflect allows us to make sure that the vision of where we want to go is sound.
Once our vision has been created, Vision Reflection can be used as an ongoing process to help us as we articulate and clarify the vision for others. Also, it gives us the opportunity to constantly monitor our progress against the vision. As we take the time to reflect on our vision work we are able to see any changes that are needed because of new information and circumstances.
Vision Reflection allows us to understand both the why we are doing what we are doing and the how we are going to do it. By recognizing and articulating the future state that we want to achieve we are able to address the why we are doing what we are. When folks are able to understand the why we are doing something and it can be articulated in such a way that they can accept and share responsibility for it, it makes the how we do it less confrontational and stressful.
As leaders, one of our greatest responsibilities to our followers is having a clear vision of where we want to go. Practicing Vision Reflection helps us to take the time to not only develop and clarify our vision, but also to share that vision with those that will be doing to bulk of the work. By making this reflection a continual process, it gives us the ability to monitor our progress against our vision and allows us to make adjustments and corrections should the need arise.
What challenges do you have understanding and articulating your vision?
