How can you clarify or put your finger on vision?
There are many schools of thought about how organizations should define or use the terms vision, mission, purpose, and values.
The good news? You don’t have to take a side.
Redundancy rattles.
Be clear; the rest is irrelevant. When people are unclear, they end up with a vision, mission, or even value statements that all say the same thing.
Having one of those things is better than all three that say the same things.
Vision validates.
Your vision is always a life.
It is a person.
It is the who of your why.
Think of who you’re trying to impact and the outcomes of that impact rather than broad goals for your organization.
I often see visions centered on a given organization and its potential to become the biggest or the best., with little to nothing about the lives it aims to impact.
Donors give specifics, not specs.
Organizations optimize.
In a faith-based organization, you’re trying to mobilize people to work hard for reasons other than their salaries.
You must be clear when asking for a transparent and well-directed response.
Schools sequence.
In a Christian school, the ‘who’ is a graduate. Paint a picture of who the young men and women in your tutelage will become.
We aim to see more young people prepare to engage the world and change it for Jesus Christ. That’s an excellent vision. It’s big, broad, compelling, and it’s why you’re there, why you’re doing what you do. It’s about a person. It’s about a graduate—a young man or young woman—who they will be.
Publicize profiles.
What is your mission?
How do you do what you do to serve?
How we do what we do, who we serve—that’s your opportunity to clarify and personalize.
The ministry’s profile is about you.
Clarify your vision and capture it in the language you use.
Keep moving forward. Feel free to reach me through text and let me know the next steps you are taking.