“The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. The storyteller sets the vision, values, and agenda of an entire generation that is to come.” — Steve Jobs.
One of the most effective ways to drive organizational change is for leaders to unite their workforce around a shared vision, which goes far beyond plopping a vision statement on a company website. Multiple international studies have shown that a shocking 63% of employees do not have a clear understanding of their company’s goals and the reasons behind them. In short, they are unsure about the organization’s overall direction and purpose, which are directly tied to vision.
When leaders are able to effectively communicate an achievable and hopeful vision for the future, they energize their teams by providing clear direction and a sense of purpose. Inspiring a shared vision is next-level leadership because it drives genuine “buy-in” by connecting people to a common purpose that motivates action and strengthens commitment.
The Five Practices of Leadership
Kouzes and Posner are renowned leadership experts known for their influential work in leadership development. They outlined five practices of exemplary leadership in their bookThe Leadership Challenge. These practices are fundamental to effective leadership and widely used in leadership training programs. Here are the Five Practices of Leadership according to Kouzes and Posner:
1. Model the Way
2. Inspire a Shared Vision
3. Challenge the Process
4. Enable Others to Act
5. Recognize and Celebrate (Encourage the Heart)
In this article, we will focus on number 2. Inspire a Shared Vision. Great leaders inspire others to take action by helping employees see the bigger picture and understand how their efforts contribute to shared goals. These leaders clearly explain their vision and why it matters, making sure others feel included and valued. When people believe in the direction a leader is heading, they are more likely to commit, work together, and stay motivated. This sense of unity and purpose is what drives real progress.
What Does Inspire a Shared Vision Mean in Practical Terms?
Effective leaders create a compelling image of an achievable future that speaks to others. In order to succeed, their vision should be communicated in a way that excites people and gives them a sense of purpose in their daily tasks. The reason this is important is that a vision is only as powerful as the level of adoption by the team responsible for bringing it to life. When employees embrace shared ownership of a vision, trust and commitment skyrocket.
To truly inspire a shared vision, leaders must connect their vision to the values, hopes, and dreams of the people they lead. This can only be accomplished by listening carefully, genuinely caring about what matters to others, and then creating an inspired vision that can be described in concrete terms that are easy to visualize and remember. In practical terms, breaking the big picture down into achievable steps helps others see how their work contributes to the organization’s long-term success.
Once the vision has been identified and shared, effective leaders communicate it with positivity, passion, and confidence. They use stories, examples, and meaningful language to bring the vision to life. Their energy and clarity inspire others to take action and work toward the same goals. Under the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership framework, inspiring a shared vision is about making people feel hopeful and motivated to move forward together.
Key aspects of "Inspire a Shared Vision" include:
- Envisioning the future by imagining exciting possibilities.
- Enlisting others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations.
- Fostering collaboration and teamwork to achieve the vision.
Additional ways to Inspire a Shared Vision:
- Painting a vivid picture of the future.
- Clearly communicating your vision and showing enthusiasm for what can be achieved.
- Showing genuine excitement about the vision.
- Letting your passion inspire others and create a sense of purpose.
- Encouraging team members to contribute to the vision, then listening actively to their ideas, and incorporating valuable suggestions into the vision.
Strengthen Your Leadership by Inspiring a Shared Vision
Leaders who are able to inspire others with a compelling vision tend to share common traits and follow intentional practices that lead to positive outcomes. These traits and practices can be taught through effective leadership development.
See the video (and testimony from a leader who has done an amazing job of sharing his vision and cultivating for one of the organizations he lead) on our website’s Cultural Transformation page. James Lee, Commodore King Harbor Yacht Club. He inherited an organization Post Covid rebuilding on past successes while attempting to adapt to the new world. He had an unwavering and clear vision and hired us to help him inspire club leadership to expand that vision and then execute on it.
The Heffelfinger Company cultivates leaders and aligns teams to drive sustainable, scalable business results. By embracing the Inspiring a Shared Vision practice, leaders are able to create a compelling picture of the future that motivates others to commit to common goals and helps them see how their work contributes to meaningful change.
Contact us for a FREE Values Exploration Conversation or to learn more about the Leadership Practices Inventory (Self or 360 version). Discover how you or your team can implement Practice 2 – Inspire a Shared Vision to elevate your leadership impact today.
Warmly,
Lori and James
Lori Heffelfinger & James Jackman
63% of employees don’t have a clear understanding of the company Vision — here’s why! Anders BE. Eklund. 10/10/2024. https://medium.com/@andersbeek.... Accessed 5/2/2025.
James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner, The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations (J-B Leadership Challenge: Kouzes/Posner), 7th Edition. San Francisco, CA, Jossey-Bass, January 5, 2023.
