I should have kept a running tally, but I didn’t. During 40 years of training and consulting, I’ve worked with a great number of leaders and managers at all levels, from team leaders up to corporate heads. I usually began by asking what should be a simple question: What is your vision for this work?

Some could answer succinctly and quickly. Others stammered around clumsily. A few couldn’t answer at all. Most would recite the company or organizational vision statement. Lowe’s vision statement is: “We will provide customer-valued solutions with the best prices, products, and services, to make Lowe’s the first choice for home improvement.”

Is there anything “wrong” with that vision statement? Not really. As a guiding definition of intentions and attitudes, it works fine.

It does describe how Lowe’s success ultimately will be measured—by being the first choice in home improvement—and it does define the general attitude of the company— to provide customer-valued solutions.

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