What Drives Vision [a survey]

University of Washington Development and Alumni Relations

WHAT DRIVES VISION?

1. Vision takes the right people who can debate vigorously in search of the best answers, yet people unify behind decisions regardless of parochial interests…………………….. 1  2  3   4   5

1. Leadership is about vision but leadership is equally about creating a climate where the truth is heard and the brutal facts confronted.  There is a huge difference between the opportunity to “have your say” and the opportunity to be heard…………………… 1   2    3   4   5

1. Creating a climate where the truth is heard involves:

1. Lead       with questions not answers………………………………………………. 1   2    3    4   5
2. Engage       in dialogue and debate not coercion………………………………. 1   2    3   4   5
3. Conduct       autopsies without blame…………………………………………….. 1   2   3   4   5
4. Build       a red flag system to insure truth is not ignored………………….. 1   2    3   4   5

1. Vision is not a goal to be best, a strategy to be best, an intention to be best, or a plan to be best.  It is the understanding of what you can be best at.  The distinction is absolutely crucial…………………………………………………. 1   2    3   4   5

1. Vision is best created and supported by people who display extreme diligence and stunning intensity (they rinse their cottage cheese)…………………………………  1   2    3   4   5

1. Vision is driven from the inside.  When it is understood, transitions feel more like an organic development process………………………………………………. 1   2    3    4   5

1. Vision requires patience and discipline.  It follows the “build-up-break-through” flywheel model despite pressures to achieve faster results…………………………………………. 1   2    3    4   5

1. Vision needs to have incredible commitment and alignment, which guides transitions and changes organically…………… 1   2   3   4   5

1. Enduring visions preserve their core values and purpose while their business strategies and operating practices endlessly adapt to a changing world……………………………… 1   2    3   4   5

SIX WAYS TO BE IN ALIGNMENT WITH A VISION

1. People:
   The right people, the right values, the right position, in the right      place.  Who gets promoted, who gets fired.
2. Measurement:
   What you measure is what you focus on.
3. Communication:
   All types all the time, both ways; always saying the same thing.
4. Powerful Catalytic Mechanism
   What demonstrates your vision.
5. Super Consistency:
   Everyone goes out of their way to insure we are consistent.
6. The Flywheel Effect:
   It’s not the short term but the persistence to build to last, as the best.  Results grow and grow.