And when it’s not useful
There’s a goal that my clients often express:
Sonia, I want to be more strategic
What this is often about is a feeling that they have that someone else is deciding on the strategy, the how of getting to the vision. That they are “just” making it happen.
Strategy is key. It’s the how. It’s the path to the vision that you have created or want to create.
A vision without a strategy remains an illusion
says Lee Bolman
So being able to see the vision, the end goal and having the skills and confidence to forge a path towards it, are skills that we all need, no matter where we lead.
But when is it not so useful?
The other day I was speaking with one of the members of my Rising Leaders’ Circle, and we were talking about a need to achieve and how this was getting in the way of her achieving a true balance in her life (a topic for another post!). In the conversation, Diane said
My problem is that once I’ve seen a possibility, I get straight to thinking about how to achieve it and before I know it, I’m deep into another project!
Now this is a great skill to have. A skill to instantly see the “how”. A way to create a roadmap to a goal. But this is when it’s not so useful. What if the goal isn’t well thought out? What if not enough time has been spent on designing the vision? What if you get there and then decide that it’s not what you want?
If having a vision but no strategy makes the vision and illusion or a dream, having a strategy and no vision is like having a map but no destination.
No matter what stage of life or your career you are at, spending some time getting clarity around your vision is key. Hold it lightly, but hold it. Hold it lightly enough to adapt. But have it clear enough to be able to set a path to it.
And not only that. What will happen is that you will also see opportunities along the way that you would not have seen before.
What’s your vision? How clearly do you have the path to that vision?
Let me know in the comments and for more discussion join my Leadership Circle on facebook too
Speak soon
Sx
