Performance Shift offers senior managers a powerful full-day workshop to create a core ingredient for building a commitment to shared work- clear Values & Vision that lift up the entire organization.

The Vision & Values Workshop uses a blend of fact-based research and a dynamic process to create a brief, one line statement that gives leaders "the invisible hand", influencing your people's behavior, commitment and attitude all day, every day.

A powerful Vision is a measurable result that provides meaning to the work of every employee.  It pulls them through the difficult times - when the slogging and the grind of adapting to change can discourage and demoralize employees right when a leader needs their commitment the most. 

The Vision statement lightens their load and puts change & challenges in perspective.  They adapt more willingly because they see beyond shareholder $ pressure and top management's career agendas, right to the core of why the organization exists  - to make a meaningful difference in the lives of customers, clients, residents, patients, citizens - whomever your organization is serving.
 

What is a good VISION statement?

Good vision statements are rare, even in large companies. An excellent U.P. statement is alive both in the present moment and in the future, all at once.   For example, US President Harry Truman's vision for America in the 1950's was "Two cars in every garage". 

Harry Truman's Vision is measurable each day, yet timeless and never fully achievable.  Harry Truman's vision of bringing prosperity to America was measurable by simply driving down the street and looking into every driveway.  Yet, it was timeless too - perhaps not even fully achieved in America today, fifty years later.

A good vision is one that is in service of others.  A top Bristol-Myers executive once described his company's purpose as "We keep people young", referring to the company's cancer drugs, medical equipment and their Clairol hair coloring products!  Every day employees can see people who use the products and feel younger, yet they can see more ways yet to serve.

Disney's vision is, "We make people happy."  Everyday, employees can see theme park visitors who are happy - or not!  They connect what they do each day - clean up garbage, take tickets, serve food - with this Unifying Purpose.  Yet they know the purpose is never fully achievable, as new visitors arrive and as new challenges arise that can suddenly cause visitors to be unhappy.

Weak vision statements tend to be too long, too generic and too self-serving.  For example, "Our vision is to be number one in our industry, with superior products, excellent employees and a commitment to innovative products."    This example is self-serving in that the vision is for the company's success, not the customers' success.  It is not distinctive, and could be applied generically to almost any company.  Finally, it is far too long, though many are even longer.  Anything more than eight to ten words is already in danger of being a forgotten statement on a dusty plaque in the front lobby.

Why is Vision so crucial to building trust & performance?

• A good Vision provides staff with meaning in their work.  Studies show that a shockingly high percentage of people lack meaning & purpose in their work.  The result is either a restless desire to find the next great job, or a resigned apathy that this job is as good as it will ever get.  A clear purpose gives people a reason to do the unpleasant aspects of any job - in order to serve the customers of that organization.
   
• A clear Vision reduces the ego-battle of change.  People dislike giving up favorite old habits and starting new ways of doing things, especially if they think it's just because the leader says it's a good idea.  Linking present moment behavior changes to the Unifying Purpose, puts the changes in context.  People are more open to changing when they know it's not just to make the boss look good, or help the shareholders get rich.  It's to make a real difference in the world!
   

Here is what you get from the Vision & Values Workshop:

• Pre-work to gather key facts & research needed (Market & customer-driven information)
• An action packed full day (to create a powerful Unifying Purpose that will endure)
• A dynamic 7 step process that stretches participants, then crystallizes a powerful Vision statement for your organization

Ask yourself, do you know what your organization's purpose is?  If so, does it have meaning for you? If you're not clear, how can your people be clear?
 

Call our office at 1-877-688-6326 or email John Kuypers directly at:  johnk@performanceshift.com
 

Your Vision & Values workshop leader is Performance Shift president John Kuypers.

John is a leadership veteran - a former corporate vice president who ran national sales & marketing teams in the food & beverage industry.  He is also an author, strategic consultant and executive coach.  His client experience includes large organizations like TD Bank, Bank of Montreal and S.C. Johnson Wax, along with mid and smaller-sized firms like Turkstra Lumber, Studentawards and Steeves & Rozema Nursing Homes.

"I am sorry I wrote you such a long letter.  I didn't have time to write you a short one."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American writer, c1850