It’s hard enough to get a family of four to agree on where to go out to eat much less getting a group of executives/ managers to agree on where they want to take their organization. To facilitate a vision for an organization—where it wants to go, appeal to both the head and the heart, supporting the question, “Why change?”

A clear vision statement of the future state helps to gain genuine commitment. Therefore, define vision first.

Defined:  A vision is a desired position specified in sufficient detail so that an organization recognizes it when they reach it.  A consensual vision provides direction and motivation for change.

Relationships

Facilitate vision to drive the objectives and define where the organization is going. A defined vision enables you to define key measures and more detailed objectives. Lay them out en route to ensure obtaining the vision.

Deliverable

When you facilitate vision, you create a clearly defined statement between 25 and 75 words in length.

Options

Use one of three methods:

1. Define the vision statement by having your group use the Creativity Exercise (in MGRUSH Tools) to draw and illustrate where they are going. Have each breakout team describe their picture to the others and then capture an integrated vision statement, converting the pictures into narrative.
2. Or, prepare a draft vision statement (frequently gathered from the senior manager of the group) and write it on a flip chart.  Define a vision statement then review this with the group and have them modify it to meet their needs.
3. Or, using the Temporal Shift tool below, have the group develop a newspaper or magazine headline that they would like to see in a major newspaper on the date of the vision—e.g., “What would the newspaper headline read on January 15, 20xx?”  Next, have them embellish the headline with the story behind the headline. Hence, this headline and story support the vision.

TEMPORAL SHIFT TOOL

Purpose

Helps facilitate vision by getting groups to agree on where to go or be at some point in the future.

Rationale

Have you ever had a problem getting a group of friends or family to agree on where to go to eat?  Now try to get a group of bright professionals to agree on where they are headed!  It is much easier to ask and build consensus around “Where have you been?” or, “What type of legacy have you left behind?”

This step defines the specific vision of the organization—where it wants to go.  Projects, initiatives, activities, and organizational effort are directed toward attaining the vision.  Vision drives objectives and other key measures, not the other way around.

Method

Hand out recent copies of an appropriate industry organizational or trade magazine or periodical familiar to the participants. Turn them to a specific page (could be the front cover) or column that is frequently read. The Wall Street Journal could be a default publication that you use, but decide which section will display the headline based on the type of group you are working with.

Have each group develop a newspaper headline that they would like to read on the date of their vision—e.g., “What would the headline read on January 15, 20xx?”  Have them embellish the headline with the 250-word story behind the headline.

Bring the groups together to compare and contrast. Work the Bookends looking for similarities and differences. First, convert the headline. The story items supporting the headlines can then be used to add detail to the vision.

NOTE:  Pretend they are on a beach in the future and pick up this periodical, what you are really asking them is “What is the legacy you have left behind as a result of the effort at hand?” Establish the time in the future based on when this group has disbanded.

Suggestion

See the following website for headlines from around the world:

http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/    or

http://www.pressreader.com.

Timing

Facilitating vision typically takes from 30 minutes to two hours.

Closure

This step is complete when you have a statement (not necessarily grammatically pure) that the group believes captures the target or vision of where they want to go. Check with them to see if they can recognize the target defined by their vision and would agree if they get there.

Reply with any questions you might have by commenting below. For additional methodology and team-based meeting support for your change initiatives, refer to our store http://mgrush.com/shop/ or consider the book “Change or Die, a Business Process Improvement Manual” for much of the support you might need to lead more effective groups, teams, and meetings. Don’t forget to illustrate using your metaphor, as a metaphor is worth a thousand pictures.

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