When I was in the second grade, I could not answer the (easy) arithmetic questions correctly. To clarify, I excelled at math, perhaps the best student in Mrs. Hubbard’s class. I was quick to do sums and subtraction correctly. In fourth grade, I was the first student in the class to master (not just memorize) the multiplication tables. I even earned a minor in mathematics during my undergrad education at University of Idaho.
I’m not telling you this to brag. I want you to ask what happened in the second grade? If I’ve always been good at math, why was I not answering easy addition and subtraction correctly?
I had poor vision. Literally.
To recap my story, Mrs. Hubbard held a sort of math contest. One student stood by another’s desk and the first to answer the math problem from the blackboard would walk to the next desk and repeat the procedure. (And, yes, I’m old enough it was a for-real blackboard with chalk.)
The student with the incorrect answer would either stay seated or return to their own desk.
I did great – initially. I defeated every student by always responding quickly with the correct answer. That is, until I got toward the back of the classroom. I’d squint and by golly, a “6” looked just like an “8”; a “1” like a “7”.
Luckily, my teacher recognized that the problem was my eyesight, not my skill at arithmetic. She reported the vision issue to my mother (who was oblivious to my squinting). After a couple visits to the optometrist, a pair of “way rad” eyeglasses, and my arithmetic skills were stellar again, regardless of where I stood in the classroom gazing at the blackboard.
Clear Vision
Leaders must have a clear vision. Not unlike my second-grade self, if a leader cannot identify the problem, they cannot determine the right solution. Vision provides clarity to achieve results.
A clear business vision must address the “W” questions: what, when, where, why, and who. These are the elements of a strategy that an executive holds responsibly and with trust. Entrepreneurs and small business owners should also answer these questions recognizing limited resources (time, money, people).
- What. A clear and concise business strategy explains what the vision will yield. For example, the end result of updating an innovation system is improved quality of ideas in the pipeline and speedier time-to-market.
- When. Schedules drive all other variables in project management. Time is our most precious resource. (Hint: embrace each day!) Business leaders must commit to when tasks will be done. This prevents domino-style failures and increases the odds of success for an innovation project.
- Where. Strategically, business leaders must answer where they will meet customers. Do you sell goods in a retail brick and mortar store, online, or in a hybrid environment? Entrepreneurs need to understand where their potential customers hang out and meet them there.
- Why. Leaders answer the why question for vision in two ways. First, why are we in business; what are our passions and core values? Second, why would a customer or client want to do business with us and buy our products and services? Addressing why is crucial to a clear vision.
- Who. A business cannot be all things to everyone. Some people shop at Walmart, and some people shop at Saks. Leaders must identify who their customers are and who works on their teams. A mistake many entrepreneurs make is to try to do everything themselves rather than outsourcing.
Results
Even after all these years, I’m still amazed at the results of clear vision! Not only could I ace the math contests, but I saw the leaves on trees and could read the numbers on a clock (another thing of the way back past!). I wasn’t super athletic, but my improved vision drove better results on the playground with jump rope and leaping hurdles in the primary school track meet. Yay!
Likewise, if you can create a clear business vision, you will be able to achieve better results. It might not be as instantaneous as putting on corrective lenses, but having a vision for what you want to accomplish is truly important.
When you marry your “why” – personal commitment and passion to the “what,” you can create a prosperous business. As a quick exercise, can you identify your vision in one sentence? Can you articulate your vision for your business: what, when, where, why, and who?
Please contact me at VTM at globalnpsolutions.com if you want to chat about creating a clear and concise leadership vision for your self or your business.
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