Is it possible that your team has lost or forgotten the vision? (193-1)

Leaders effectively communicate vision when they use terms, examples, and word pictures that their audience can understand. Read Matthew 13:1-52.

Jesus was a master teacher. In His public ministry He often had crowds with varied backgrounds; some educated, some illiterate, some leaders, some laborers, some religious, some agnostic, some who preferred to work with their hands, some who worked with their mind, some honest, and some who did not know what an honest day’s work was. In chapter 13, Jesus uses a style of communication that effectively cast a vision for the Kingdom of Heaven which created a longing in the heart of virtually everyone in the crowd. Jesus’ use of parables and word pictures did not trivialize the profound truths about heaven but captured the imagination and heart and riveted His hearers’ attention on the kingdom He proclaimed.

A few truths that will help any leader more effectively communicate vision:

• The vision should be communicated from the heart with passion allowing a team to develop a burden for the vision.
• The vision must be communicated in language the team understands; not “boardroom speak” or “insider speak” using unfamiliar terms, abbreviations, and three letter codes.
• The vision should paint a picture with images they can envision.
• The vision must present information in a logical sequence, not assuming the team knows more than they actually do.
• The vision must offer something that is worth working to attain, something much better than the present situation. People need a compelling reason to sacrifice time, energy, and to invest their hope.
• The vision must be rooted in the follower’s values. A vision should emphasize values essential to the team that match their core truths.
• The vision must require team participation. The team wants to know they are needed and vital.
• Vision creates questions and to clearly communicate vision there should be a time to allow questions and give clarification.
• The vision must have some long-term ramifications that will last beyond the immediate.

Does there seem to be a lethargic attitude in your organization? Are people showing up excited or just showing up for a paycheck? Has there been some turn over in your organization since the last time you made an effort to insure vision was understood by all? Is it possible that your team has lost or forgotten the vision for what they do? Effective leaders communicate a vision that captures a team’s heart and imagination; a vision that requires faith to complete.