The Wisdom of Leadership » Leadership principle #7 – Lead with an inspiring vision for the future http://blog.perwinblad.com A blog about How to be a stronger, wiser and more compassionate leader in whatever leadership situation you are in. Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:06:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 Lead with an inspiring vision for the future – Questions to reflect and act upon this week http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/16/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-questions/ http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/16/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-questions/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:40:43 +0000 Per Winblad http://blog.perwinblad.com/?p=645 Reflect and act on these Questions this week

First read through Part 1- 6 about how to Lead with an inspiring vision for the future.

I present you with the following questions and exercises to reflect over, as seeds for your own exploration and development.

How do you imagine your future? If you could shape the future, what would it look like for you and your organization?

1. How do you see the market develop in 3-5 years?

2. What do you want your organization to achieve and become in 3-5 years?

3. Where is your organization today? What strength has brought you to where you are today? What additional strength do you have?

4. What do you need to develop to get you towards your vision?

5. Summarize and draw/write down a positive and challenging vision of the future for you and your organization. It can be a combination of growth, profitability and contributing to society in large and building a better world.

6. Gather your team and involve them in those important questions to co create a common picture for the future. Give the questions and ask everyone to draw/write down their answers. Let everyone, one by one, give their picture/view and be sure to create an honest dialog. After listening give your own picture/view and than ask for everyone´s reflection. How do you take the process further? What is most important to do in the short term?

7. Summarize and draw/write down your common, positive and challenging picture of the future.

8. This is the communication process built on asking the right questions, not having the right answer, the leadership approach for the future.

9. Remember this is a process of development you have started and development is always a step-by-step process. That is also how we work toward realizing our vision, something I plan to blog about next week.

]]> http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/16/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-questions/feed/ 0 Lead with an inspiring vision for the future – Part 6 http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/14/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-6/ http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/14/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-6/#comments Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:22:49 +0000 Per Winblad http://blog.perwinblad.com/?p=636 Part 6

Dreaming instead of doing is foolishness, and there is ruin in a flood of empty words.

King Solomon

A leader looks to the past as well as to the present and the future in order to establish and shape an inspiring vision. They transform past experiences into positive input and visualize a successful future. Together, we want to create a better world and we continually seek opportunities to contribute our unique abilities.

It is the responsibility of every leader to show how the vision may be realized, to focus on measurable and attainable common goals, tied into individual ambitions and action plans. With an inspiring vision, supported by governing values put into action, we are creating the future we want.

To summarize this week

To become a wiser leader:
• Let your actions and your time be guided by an inspiring vision.
• Communicate and share the vision.
• Involve your coworker in the creating of your common vision.
• Transform the vision into reality.
• Practice what you preach.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead with an inspiring vision for the future”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead with an inspiring vision for the future the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

]]> http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/14/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-6/feed/ 1 Lead with an inspiring vision for the future – Part 5 http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/13/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-5/ http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/13/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-5/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:17:08 +0000 Per Winblad http://blog.perwinblad.com/?p=628 Part 5

Plans go wrong with too few counselors; many counselors bring success.

King Solomon

A realistic and all-inclusive, established vision moves the process ahead. We gain our co-workers’ trust and cooperation by acknowledging and building on common values, needs, interests, hopes and dreams. Bringing out the things we share as a group, we become secure in our roles and can see each individual’s strengths as a resource for the development of the group. With this security in the group we can use each others competence in new ways witch will lead to development.

It takes time to develop a culture directed by visions and values. It requires both brain, heart and a good concept. Simplicity, participation, communication, and repetition are key words.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead with an inspiring vision for the future”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead with an inspiring vision for the future the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

]]> http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/13/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-5/feed/ 0 Lead with an inspiring vision for the future – Part 4 http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/12/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-4/ http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/12/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-4/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:13:40 +0000 Per Winblad http://blog.perwinblad.com/?p=617 Part 4

Hope deferred makes the heart sick; but when dreams come true at last, there is life and joy.

King Solomon

It is important to regularly confirm and evaluate the established plan. A wise leader regularly gather his or her team and assists the members of the team to gain perspective of what is happening now and how it fits into the big picture – what is working good and what needs to be improved in order to move ahead.

Most things worth striving for take time to achieve. With a clear and focused vision the desire and determination grow stronger and concentrate the human energy to be persistent.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead with an inspiring vision for the future”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead with an inspiring vision for the future the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

]]> http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/12/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-4/feed/ 0 Lead with an inspiring vision for the future – Part 3 http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/11/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-3/ http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/11/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-3/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:09:30 +0000 Per Winblad http://blog.perwinblad.com/?p=608 Part 3

Look straight ahead; don’t even turn your head to look.

King Solomon

Vision is holding in our mind’s eye a clear picture of a desired and preferred future. We seek something important to strive for and be inspired by, to accomplish something worthwhile. In this vision of the future possibilities, of what can be, we create the fuel to motivate people to give of their best to make the vision a reality.

An inspiring and integrated vision, based on governing values, allows us to feel that our life has a purpose and a meaning. It affects our thoughts, our actions, and how we prioritize our time. The vision becomes the driving force behind everything we do.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead with an inspiring vision for the future”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead with an inspiring vision for the future the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

]]> http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/11/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-3/feed/ 0 Lead with an inspiring vision for the future – Part 2 http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/10/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-2/ http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/10/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-2/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:02:29 +0000 Per Winblad http://blog.perwinblad.com/?p=603 Part 2

A wise man thinks ahead.

King Solomon

A leaders personal vision stretches over a lifetime and includes all of life’s important areas: family, health, work, and leisure. The beautiful thing is that we all have the creative capability to imagine the future. To see the possibilities that lies ahead as we are looking towards our future through eyes of faith. We see our family prospering, being in good health full of energy, our company creating greater value and our leisure filled with excitement. It is in our dreams and visions that we cultivate what we ultimately reap through the process of development.

All things are created twice: First inside, in our thinking, and then outside, in our doing. When we dream of the future and establish goals and plans, we are making the first creation. When we are putting the dreams, goals, and plans into action we are making the second creation. They are like the blueprint of a house before its built. The physical creation is when we actually are building the house.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead with an inspiring vision for the future”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead with an inspiring vision for the future the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

]]> http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/10/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-2/feed/ 0 Lead with an inspiring vision for the future – Part 1 http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/09/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-1/ http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/09/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-1/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:53:17 +0000 Per Winblad http://blog.perwinblad.com/?p=595 Part 1

Without a vision, people perish.

King Solomon

A wise leader creates a vision for the development of his or her organization. Here, human energy and creativity are coordinated and channeled toward common projects. When everybody pulls in the same direction at the same time, extraordinary things happen.

A wise leader engages his co-workers through understanding and involvement. Collectively, the organization builds an inspiring and comprehensive vision of possibilities. Such a vision includes and inspires everyone around us – suppliers, clients, and the general public.

The important questions are: What kind of world do we want to create? What should be our role in the market? What kind of reputation do we want to have? Questions like these bring about a deeper connection to purpose and reality that we all need. A leader’s personal vision has a great impact in this process.

About “The Key Leadership Principles”

This weeks Key Leadership Principle is “Lead with an inspiring vision for the future”.
I will write one thought for every day during this week and then give you the opportunity to reflect on some important questions on how to Lead with an inspiring vision for the future the following week.

This is the format I will use to inspire your learning, releasing your talent and potential. My hope is that you will come along with your thoughts along the way.

I wish you the best in your life and leadership,

Per Winblad

]]> http://blog.perwinblad.com/2009/11/09/lead-with-an-inspiring-vision-for-the-future-part-1/feed/ 1