As storytelling gets a lot of interest and popularity, I am constantly finding great books and other publications on that topic. Recently I came across The Story Factor, by Annette Simmons. One of the stories she mentions is an anonymous tale I’ve heard before. I would like to share that story with you and highlight the importance of a clear vision to achieve both business and personal goals. Having a clear vision works not only for large organizations, it’s suits any small business or micropreneur, and even our personal life.
Without a clear vision the best strategy is ineffective.
Vision gives us a direction, strategy is a way to get there. Clarity and consistency will drive success.
An individual who can inspire others in meeting long term goals is a visionary leader. While visionary leaders are not common, they share some qualities in common, such as creativity, passion, broad-mindedness, innovation, perseverance, and confidence.
Here is the story, paraphrased by me.
A woman came upon a construction site where three people were working. She approached one of them and asked what he was doing. “Can’t you see? I’m laying bricks!” he snapped. Undaunted, she asked the next man what he was doing. “I’m building a wall.” he responded matter-of-factly. Then the woman approached the third man, who was humming a tune as he worked and asked him what he was doing. Despite the fact that he appeared to be doing exactly the same thing as the other two men, he looked up with excitement and said, “I am building the greatest cathedral ever built!”
A solid understanding of the objectives will help us to do a better job, help us to help others in their performance, help us to be better leaders, and ultimately help us enjoy what we do. If we want our messages to be embraced by others and want those messages to influence them, we need to share our vision… a vision that can become their cathedral.
Creating and sustaining a vision and long term goals for an organization or an individual calls for active imagination and discipline. Once we can imagine our future, then the right strategy will get us there and opportunities will emerge.
So, what’s your cathedral?
Having difficulties? Know what before figuring out how. If you find yourself stuck on how, stop for a moment, take a step back and try to see the big picture.
Imagine…
Contact us and we will help you figure out your vision and the right steps to get there.