One of the biggest mistakes leaders make is moving from vision to execution as though it’s a linear process. The widely held assumption is they are two ends of a spectrum, and that vision is about planning, while execution is about action.
ADVERTISEMENT |
The truth is that vision requires action to be clarified and refined, and execution requires reflection to be effective.
It’s not linear
Most leadership experts subscribe to some variation of these five steps.
The model is logical. But in reality, most of us don’t live our lives that way, and most leaders are not rigorous about it, because life doesn’t wait while you are planning. No wonder so many leaders have little patience with the first steps.
Circular is better
When you think of these steps as circular, it gives a better sense of their ongoing and repeating nature.
A reality check will verify that all of these steps are important. Anyone who has worked with a leader who acts randomly (“ready-fire-aim”) knows what a mess they leave behind. Leaders who avoid taking action can be just as frustrating.
This approach is still sequential and doesn’t match up with the reality of our messy lives and organizations. It’s simply not accurate to represent a dynamic, interrelated process as a series of sequential steps.
Try spinning the circles
Try thinking of the circle as dynamic—spinning so fast that the colors turn white. You can’t see the individual parts, even though you know they’re there.
While working on one step, you pay attention to how that step affects all the other steps. Which steps you need to focus on at any point are determined by feedback from your environment and your own experience, instead of a chart.
This is a way of working and doing business, not simply a way to approach projects. Also, because it’s ongoing, “evaluate and adjust” is no longer a step. It becomes integrated into daily life and the way you approach work.
By acknowledging that reality is far from linear and assuming a dynamic approach, you are freed to work on the right steps at the right time. Both your vision and execution will become smarter, easier, faster, and smoother.
Three guidelines for a dynamic approach
Do vision and execution simultaneously
Don’t separate vision and execution as though they are two different things. As you develop your vision, no matter what stage your vision is in, continually align your actions with it. Don’t set your vision aside once you’ve moved to another step.
You don’t have to wait for your vision to be “finished” before you start. Build it as you envision it. Learn and adjust as you go.
Think of your vision as unbaked clay
Allow your vision to be reshaped based on new information, feedback, what you have learned, and changes in your environment. Don’t assume that you “own” the vision. Allow others to influence its shape—to put their thumbprints on it.
As you move closer to your vision, you will understand it more deeply. It might look like it has changed on the outside, but the essence will remain the same.
Be fluid
When working on any of these steps, give it your full attention and strive for excellence, but always consider the big picture and how what you’re doing affects the other steps. Be ready to move fluidly among the steps as it makes sense.
Although these are described as distinct steps, in reality they’re not separate. This is simply a model to help you organize your thinking.
First published Feb. 25, 2015, on Jesse Lyn Stoner’s Blog. © 2015 Jesse Stoner.
Add new comment