The Importance of Vision in Transformative Journeys

"I've spent at least six weeks explaining our new marketing push, but the leadership team just doesn't understand our vision." When I heard this from the VP of Marketing at a financial services firm, I had to ask: "So, how are you sharing the vision?" What I heard back gave me a vital insight to help my client get the momentum she wanted for her initiative. "Susan, I've been showing them the marketing campaign that we're running, including all the emails and the social media and mailings." Of course, that was helpful that she had plenty of marketing materials for their clients. But something else was missing. "How are you visually showing people the vision of how things will change?" This question stumped the VP. So I asked her: "How can you share the vision as an image?" I also asked her: "What do people need to see to imagine the change?" Immediately, she envisioned a pathway as a metaphor for the journey their customers would be taking, and the changes that implied for the rest of the company, beyond the Marketing group. It's been said that "a picture is worth a thousand words." Once we constructed a visual representation of the change journey, the VP shared that in the next leadership meeting, and she called me right afterwards. "Susan, I've never seen them be so excited about what we're doing in Marketing. They understand the change. They asked great questions. They're on board!" I was pleased for her. But I wasn't surprised how well telling her story visually turned out. Building momentum for change starts with a clear vision. People need to see where they're going. They needed to literally change their perspective. How are you helping people to picture the change you want to create? Vision is just one of the Five Dimensions of Change we teach companies that want to create momentum for change. If you've got a mission-critical initiative or project you want to accelerate, let's talk. Reach out for a complimentary conversation. Now, let's hear from YOU: What's a memorable picture or graphic you've seen recently? #smartshift #transition #change #momentum #leadership   

Essential Elements for Driving Corporate Transformation In the post-AI, post-COVID corporate realm, transformation is increasingly being recognized as a necessity. In my many years of experience leading successful organizational transformations, I’ve noticed the difference between a transformation that propels a company forward and one that falters can be distilled into three non-negotiable elements that are foundational to how you inspire, empower and accelerate your team toward transformation: 1. Clarity of Vision Change is daunting, but a clear vision is the North Star that guides an entire organization through it. If you're seeking radical transformation, your initiatives will fail right at the outset unless you start by clearly explaining what you are trying to accomplish. This first step isn't just about outlining what needs to be done; it's about inspiring people with your vision of what lies ahead. Paint a vivid before-and-after picture of what the aspirational “new normal” will look like on the other side of change. Then, assemble a team of like-minded individuals who believe in that vision. This becomes the mechanism to make transformation happen. 2. Employee Well-Being Work culture is beginning to accept that employees are whole people.  Focusing on systems, processes and technology is natural in business, but the core of any organization is its people (and not just their output). The current shift toward valuing people over processes aligns with my lifelong career quest to infuse more humanity — soul, care, generosity, empathy and humor — into the workplace, creating an environment where employees feel valued, understood and empowered. By creating positive behavior changes and redefining opportunity for employees, you improve recruiting, retention and professional growth. A key goal in the transformation process should be to help employees help themselves. When your organization gives employees access to a variety of resources and opportunities to help them grow on their own terms, it shifts from providing "talent development" to "talent enablement," focusing not just on training but on empowering employees with the tools, mindsets and support they need for continuous improvement and well-being. 3. Velocity If you wait for all the pieces to perfectly fall into place before you begin, you’ll never get the crucial momentum you need to get started. Move fast or don’t move at all. But how fast you go isn’t enough; where you’re going is just as important. An organizational transformation requires both speed and direction — velocity. Know where you’re going, then head there quickly and with laser-like focus, working to keep everyone aligned and moving with you. Velocity is maintained by aiming for early wins and moving on quickly when things don’t go your way. You’re going to break some glass, but velocity is far more important than perfection. https://lnkd.in/ggJjt6JM #digitaltransformation

Most of the executive leaders I work with are masters at setting goals, mobilizing resources, and creating consistent actions needed to achieve them. What I find is often missing is the co-creation and articulation of a bigger purpose and vision that inspires others to be committed to pursue those goals. Think of a vision as painting a portrait of a changed and better future. A vision puts aspiration into form for you and others to imagine what is possible in the future. It serves as an intangible aspiration to try to create into tangible reality. Purpose, on the other hand, is why you have that vision. It is the reason that drives you to paint the picture in the first place. Goals and actions are the stepping stones to get there. They can change and course correct and flex as things around you change. Without creating the portrait of the distant but imagined future however, the achieved goals are mere accomplishments. There is a difference between accomplishing and achieving things and changing the world. #leadershippresence #vision #changetheworld

Why does a “shared vision” matter to digital transformation? In my new book “The Digital Transformation Roadmap,” I argue that the first step of any successful transformation is to define a shared vision—of where you are going, why you must go there, and why your organization is uniquely suited to pursue this future path. The absence of this kind of vision is the first of five barriers my research has identified as the root causes of digital transformation (DX) failure. ==Why does a Shared Vision matter? The benefits of having a shared vision for digital transformation are manifold. ◾ A shared vision can #inspire and #align the work of employees at all levels of the business. ◾ It sets #expectations, with a clear understanding of what success should look like in 12, 24, or 36 months—and what metrics to use to track progress. ◾ A shared vision will also guide #resource #allocation, directing investment towards digital initiatives where the company has a clear 'right to win'. ◾ For public companies, a well-articulated vision allows #investors to make informed decisions about supporting a company's digital transformation journey. == Without a shared vision, it becomes nearly impossible to align the organization and set clear expectations. This can result in confusion, resistance to change, and suboptimal decision-making. Without a shared vision, a digital transformation initiative is certain to falter. ▶ READ the full article: https://lnkd.in/eWSPH4pn

Harsh truth: No matter where you sit in an organization, if you can't connect what you do...your value at the organization is limited. Here’s what leaders need to know about transformation: 1. Empathize with Your Team's Current State • Take the time to genuinely understand the challenges, fears, and aspirations of your team members • Put yourself in their shoes and consider how their current circumstances are impacting their motivation and performance • Acknowledge their struggles and demonstrate that you've been there too, building trust and rapport 2. Define a Clear and Compelling Destination • Articulate a vivid vision of where you want to lead your team or organization • Paint a picture of the future state that is both ambitious and achievable, inspiring your team to stretch beyond their comfort zone • Communicate this destination consistently and passionately, rallying your team around a shared purpose 3. Break Down the Journey into Manageable Steps • Deconstruct the transformation process into specific, actionable milestones • Identify the critical skills, resources, and mindset shifts required at each stage of the journey • Celebrate progress along the way, recognizing the efforts and achievements of your team as they move closer to the destination 4. Empower Every Team Member to Be a Change Agent • Emphasize that transformation is not just the responsibility of leadership, but of every individual in the organization • Encourage team members to identify opportunities for improvement within their own roles and spheres of influence • Provide the tools, training, and autonomy necessary for team members to drive change at all levels 5. Accelerate the Speed of Transformation • Recognize that in today's fast-paced business environment, the speed of transformation is a critical competitive advantage • Foster a culture of experimentation and iteration, encouraging your team to rapidly test and refine new ideas • Streamline decision-making processes and remove bureaucratic barriers that slow down progress Remember, transformation is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process of growth and adaptation. As a leader, your role is to create an environment where transformation can thrive, and to inspire your team to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with change. Join the 12,000+ leaders who get our weekly email newsletter. https://lnkd.in/en9vxeNk

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝟳𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹? In today's fast-paced world, business transformation isn't just a buzzword; it's a necessity. According to 𝗠𝗰𝗞𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗲𝘆, business transformation involves a fundamental shift in how a company operates, often encompassing changes in strategy, processes, technology, and culture. But how do you ensure your transformation journey is successful? Let's dive into some insights that could turn the tide for your organization. 💡 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 #1: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 A successful transformation begins with a crystal-clear vision. This isn't just about setting goals; it's about painting a vivid picture of what success looks like. When everyone in your organization can see and feel this vision, it becomes a shared mission. 💡 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 #2: 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 Transformation isn't a top-down directive. It's a collaborative journey. Engage your employees at every level. Their insights and buy-in are crucial for sustainable change. Remember, people support what they help create. 💡 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 #3: 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘆 Technology is a powerful enabler, but it's not a silver bullet. Choose the right tools that align with your vision and culture. The goal is to enhance human capabilities, not replace them. 💡 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 #4: 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁 Set clear metrics to track progress and be ready to pivot when necessary. Transformation is a dynamic process. Regularly review what's working and what's not, and don't be afraid to make adjustments. 💡 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 #5: 𝗙𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 Transformation doesn't end with the implementation of new processes or technologies. Cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement. Encourage your team to keep innovating and pushing boundaries. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀: - 𝙄𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝘼𝙜𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮: Stay ahead of market changes and customer demands. - 𝙀𝙣𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙮𝙚𝙚 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩: A motivated workforce drives better results. - 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙩𝙝: Build a resilient organization that thrives in the long run. So, what's your biggest challenge in business transformation? Please share your experiences in the comment below! Let's transform the way we transform! #BusinessTransformation #Leadership #OrganizationChange  #ContinuousImprovement #ITStrategy #CIO #CFO #CDIO #CXO #McKinsey https://lnkd.in/etu46gnr