The previous blog explored how over time people can lose connection between the ‘work they want to do’ and the mission of the organisation. The work they want to achieve becomes ‘just a job they have to do’.  

That’s not inevitable. We have the power to create deep meaningful connections that energise us and power up our work.

The most important realisation is that connection is built, day by day, conversation by conversation. It does not just bubble up naturally. It is a continuous practice.

The next few blogs cover different practices we can employ to strengthen our connection. The focus here is on the power of vision.

Practice #1 know your vision

That first moment of connection starts within our minds.

What is our vision of what we will achieve through work?

All of us have a vision, even if it sits at the back of the mind, unexplored. Creating stories of what we want to do is a basic human attribute.

• Take a moment and spend a couple of minutes writing down your vision for your work.
• Choose the time frame based on your context. 
• What do you want to achieve?
• Let the words write themselves, ‘pouring’ out of your mind.

Sometimes our vision may be granular and focused. Other times it will be more open and emergent. There is no right or wrong. If you are struggling to see your vision:

• Close your eyes
• Take a few slow breaths
• Imagine what is possible, what could you achieve?

Knowing your vision is powerful. It energises and motivates, taking our energy to what is most meaningful. We reconnect our work back to our deepest intent.

Practice #2 shape your vision to others’ visions

When we connect our vision to other people’s visions, we move from a place of individual agency to a state of collective power.

Asking our colleagues about their visions, encouraging them to reflect on ours, requires courage and humility. Sharing our vision for our work may make us feel vulnerable. What happens if people don’t like it, criticise it or dismiss it as irrelevant.

We need courage and humility to be open to the possibility that they are right, at least from their perspective. Stick with that discomfort.  Over time you will grow strong.

Bringing in a range of perspectives, even ‘negative’ ones, reduces blind spots and develops our vision around a deeper  understanding of the system we work within. Every piece of feedback helps because now we know what others are thinking.

It is easier to receive feedback when we consider our vision as a prototype, a work in progress which we need our colleagues to help form and bring to fruition. When we hold our vision lightly and draw in multiple perspectives, the vision grows in strength.

In asking others about their vision you are also providing a service to the wider organisation. Everyone benefits from being asked regularly ‘what is your vision?’ It moves us out of the operational mind into a higher level of strategic thought.

It move us from how we do things to why we do things.

Tips on holding conversations about vision.

• Use regular one to one conversations, rather than setting up additional meetings.
• Keep the conversation light and positive.
• A  direct question like ‘what is your vision for your work?’ is  powerful.
• Ask questions about people’s vision regularly.
  

Some people will struggle to answer initially and will want to think about it or simply quote the organisational vision to you.

That’s perfectly normal. Keep gently encouraging with questions like:

• What are you aspiring to achieve?
• What does ‘good’ look like?
• What are you trying to build?’
• How does this contribute to the organisational vision
  

Take the time to share your vision.  Hold it lightly. The energy comes when you see new possibilities start to be generated.

We build a powerful group of people when we use these conversations as moments to co-create all our visions around the organisation’s purpose – connected at the level of mind and aspiration.

For those holding a senior role in an organisation, the ability to listen and inspire your colleagues to share openly their visions, makes the organisation dynamic and driven by everyone’s commitment to their work and the organisation’s Work. It may be the most important activity you do each day.

In summary

1. Know your vision
2. Share your vision and ask others about theirs
3. Hold your vision lightly, as a prototype
4. Encourage others to shape it
5. Seek out connections between each others’ visions

Be brave, we can do it!

The next blog explores some more practices that build connection.