Everyone has a vision. Your vision may be grand: "To inspire fathers to invest in the lives of their children." Or it may be very focused: "To replace the old, stained carpet in the living room with hardwood floors." Without vision it's impossible to grow, change, and accomplish anything meaningful.
But did you know that if you lead a team or organization you really need two visions? Let me show you why.
Here are two company vision statements. What do you notice that's different about them?
LinkedIn: To create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.
Southwest Airlines: To be the world's most loved, most efficient, and most profitable airline.
LinkedIn's vision is externally focused. It paints a picture of what the change they want to bring to the lives of others. That's important. It gives team members a cause and provides the inspiration and direction needed to move forward.
Southwest Airlines' vision, on the other hand, is internally focused. It shows what they want to look like as a company. Employees understand that this is what the business is becoming so they can set their goals and focus their work accordingly.
Both of these approaches are good, but the best leaders have double vision. They paint a picture of the change they want to make in the lives of others AND show what they want to look like as an organization. Internal vision is important for team members to know what they are part of, what's important, and what they are building together. External vision is just as vital. It communicates the change you want to bring to the world. It provides the common purpose that everyone in the organization is stretching towards.
What's your vision? Is it primarily internal or external? How will you ensure that those you lead are able to see with double vision?