There are many ways an organization can get upside down.
One of the surest ways is to disconnect from the better state of affairs you should be creating for workers, customers, and the community. Your vision, in other words, has gotten twisted badly.
Reality check: Vision statements should not be about you or your organization.
That can be a difficult concept to grasp for left-brained, rational thinkers in the C-suite who, even though they have good intentions, can hamper a firm’s brand and culture by focusing on corporate financial goals as faux vision statements.
You see it all the time!
Macy’s kiss-kiss-on-us vision statement starts like this: “[A] premier omnichannel retailer with iconic brands that serve customers through outstanding stores, dynamic online sites, and mobile apps.” It sure looks like Macy’s customers have been voting with their feet on this business plan masked as a vision.
Now let’s just make one up that sounds too familiar: “Our vision at Really Important Company Inc. is to triple revenues by 2021 by delivering both an expanded product line and geographic footprint.” What customer wouldn’t get in a Black Friday-style queue to write a big fat check to help Really Important Company achieve that really important goal? Snore… Zzzz.
If the vision isn’t about a happier place for your business partners and customers – or even the world – you won’t achieve your full potential.
Ego and hubris are not the path to a culture and brand that will attract a talented workforce and loyal customers.
In certain games of pool, the eight ball is the big deal. You ultimately will have to address it to win. But when you avoid getting stuck behind the eight ball with self-inflicted bad shots, you have mastered the Power of Eight.
#thepowers
