Sharing a Vision

One of the greatest challenges any leader has inprojects to link the present with a better future they
regard to team development is the clarifying of ahave seen."7
vision.  Without a clear vision the leader is crippled inBob Dale adds to the definition and purpose of a
his or her ability to develop a team concept.  Visionleader and his/her vision when he writes:
and team development is an evolutionary process. "The first task of the leader . . . is to focus the group's
According to Wellin, Byham, and Wilson:vision.  Leaders help followers become more
"In an empowered organization, the best guidanceconscious of their own needs, values, self-definition,
comes from the team's understanding of theand purposes. Leaders serve their followers instead of
organization's vision and values.  It cannot come fromthe other way around.  The act of consciousness
the rules or books of procedure; that is notraising calls for an unusual level of self-differentiation on
empowerment.  No book of procedures can answerthe part of the leaders."8
all the questions that arise, and manuals are quicklyThe vision of the leader along with his values provides
outdated.   This vision of the organization tells thewhat Dale says is the rudder that "keeps their
team in which direction the organization is going andemotional and spiritual ships steady and on course."9  
what it plans to accomplish.  The organization's valuesSamuel Culber says,  "Our commitment to the goals
tell the team how to accomplish the vision.  Valuesof the organization for which we work exceeds the
are the subtle control mechanisms that informallymoney we receive for our efforts.  We are
sanction or prohibit behavior."1committed to our jobs because of the opportunities
The first goal of a team leader is the establishment ofthat they provide us to do something personally
a team vision.   Burt Nanus argues,  "A vision is ameaningful with our lives."10  
realistic, credible, attractive future for an organization.2The goal of a visionary is to aim above and beyond
  A "vision" for any organization involves attempting tocompensation.  The treasure of the visionary is the
define a distinct future.  From the sharing of a unifiedfruit of the task, not how much the job pays.   A
vision must come a clear definition of what "vision" willcommon and shared vision unites any team. 
create for an organization.  Burt Nanus gives a clearAttempting to develop a team without a unifying vision
and concise definition: "A vision is only an idea or anis difficult if not impossible.  Team leadership calls
image of a more desirable future for the organization,upon the leader to set the standard for the team.  In
but the right vision is an idea so energizing that it inshort, a leader's success in establishing a team-based
effect jump-starts the future by calling forth skills,organization will demand a high level of commitment to
talents, and resources to make it happen."3both work and co-workers.11
In support of his definition of vision Nanus give four 
accommodating foundational statements:1.  Richard S. Wellins, William C. Byham, and Heanne
1.        The right vision attracts commitmentM. Wilson, Empowered Change (San Francisco:
and energizes people.Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1991), 78.
2.        The right vision creates meaning in2.  Burt Nanus, Visionary Leadership (San Francisco:
workers' lives.Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1992), 8.
3.        The right vision establishes a standard3.  Ibid.
of excellence.4.  Ibid., 15-19.
4.        The right vision bridges the present and5.  Wellins, Byham, and Wilson, Empowered Change,
future.493.
 6.  Reggie McNeal, Revolution in Leadership (Nashville:
To build upon a vision, those who are in leadershipAbingdon Press, 1998), 82.
must entrust the development of that vision to7.  Ibid.
others.  The "how-to's" of a vision must be released8.  Bob Dale, Good News from Great Leaders (New
by the visionary to others for successfulYork: The Alban Institute, 1992), 7.
accomplishment of the vision.59.  Ibid.
According to Reggie McNeal, a true leader leads "from10. Samuel A.  Culbert, The Organization Trap and
the future."6   Vision, in other words, is the domain ofHow to Get out of It (New York: Basic Books, 1974),
leadership.  The visionary does not live in the past but152.
rather seeks to create a new future.  Thus, McNeal11. Susan Albers Morman, Susan G. Cohen, and Allen
observes that a true visionary is one who does notM. Mohrman, Jr., Designing Team-Based Organizations
accept the present as the final conclusion but is rather(San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1995), 359.
"drawing up plans and supervising bridge-building