The Vision
The vision is the ability to see far in the future so you can plan for it. It is often expressed in a formal statement for a person, a company, or an organization. It is a clear and vivid idealized description of a desired outcome that can inspires people who follow it. It is the most important character of a good leader as it clearly distinguish a leader from a manager. Lacking of a vision often has a devastating effect on a person, a company, and an organization. We can look back in history and see the results of the lack of vision
Everybody know that the building of the railroad from the east to the west changed the history of America. But in 1829, Mr. Martin Van Buren, the governor of New York and a group of senators wrote to Andrew Jackson, the U.S President and lists a number of reasons why the US should not build the railroads. In the letter, Mr. Van Buren stated the reasons: “A train runs at 15 mph is too fast for anyone to travel and can cause death. We already have horse carriage which is better for transportation. Horse carriages can go anywhere when a train can only goes where there is railroad. A train will scare women and children and they would not go near or dare to ride it. Building railroad is also very expensive and will have a negative economic impact on our country. It will hurt the shipping industry. We already have many rivers and canals and do not need to spend money to build a railroad which could bankrupt our country.” Many people believed Mr. Van Buren did not see far enough but few people know that he owned a company that build horse carriages and his state New York, was the capital of ship building at that time. He was basically wanted to protect his own business and his own state’s interests.
Everybody know that the airplane concept was developed in Europe but the airplane was invented in the U.S. In 1895, Lord Kelvin, the president of Royal Society in England declared: “Heavier than air flying machines are impossible. It is the imagination of stupid people who do not know anything about science. I recommend that our government not to pursue that impossible task.”. In agreement with him, Ferdinand Foch, Director of France ‘s Defense strategy school of the military declared: “Those flying machines, if they ever fly is just interesting toys but of no military value”. Because of that lack of vision of both leaders, France and England did not build airplane when Germany and the U.S did.
Everybody know that telegraph was the main way of distance communication until the telephone was invented. In 1876, The president of Western Union, the largest telegraph company wrote: “Telephone has too many problems to be seriously considered as a means of communication. This device is of no value to us. Just ignore it and it will go away”. Of course, several years later, telephone company AT&T become one of the largest companies in the U.S and due to the lack of vision, Western Union filed for bankruptcy.
Everybody know that personal computer has replaced the mainframe computer. In 1976, when Apple Computer was invented, Ken Olson, the president of Digital Equipment Corp.(The second largest computer company in the world after IBM) commented: “There is no reason anyone would want to have a computer in their home”. When IBM was rushing to compete with Apple to build the IBM Personal Computer (PC), Due to the lack of vision, Digital Equipment did nothing. Few years later, it went bankrupt.
Everybody know that Apple Computer helped revolutionalize the electronic industry. In 1976, Steve Jobs is attempted to sell his invention to Atari and HP, two largest electronic companies at that time. He wrote in his book: “I went to Atari and said: “Hey, we have an amazing small computer, even built with your electronic parts, what do you think about funding us? Or we will give it to you so you can sell it because we just want to have it built. If you pay our salary, we will come working for you”. And Atari managers told me “No, it is a stupid thing, get out”. So I went to HP and they said: “We do not need you, both of you have not even got through college yet. Do not bother us with your stupid idea”. We were both so disappointed but we love our vision so much. I had to borrow $4000 dollars to start our own company. Few years later, Atari went bankrupt and HP was in serious problem due to competition from Apple Computer.
Everybody know that Microsoft is the largest software company in the world and almost destroyed IBM. In 1982, Microsoft was a very small company that IBM could easily buy it but after Bill Gates asked for $100 million, IBM president laughed and told him: “$100 million dollars is too much to pay for such an unknown company. That is not a good investment for us”. Few years later. Microsoft was valued at hundred billion dollars and making Bill Gates the richest man on earth. The “Lack of vision” president was fired, the company almost went bankrupt and have to laid off over 60,000 people.
Throughout history, there are so many stories like that. There were so many important people who did not have the vision to kook further than their desk. They did not understand the potential of a good idea and missed the opportunity. These people were too busy with their mundane work and had no time for anything else. They were afraid of change because they did not know what will happen to them. They preferred the comfort of doing nothing. They preferred to maintain their “Status Quo” and do not want to be bothered. They may be good managers but NOT leaders. One thing that all good leaders have in common is vision and that is why they are good.
If you wish to improve your leadership skills, you need to have a vision. Of course, it is not just keep it in your head but you need to make it into a reality by design it in a strategic plan. The typical strategic plan consists of six factors: The vision, the goals, the values, the measurements, and the monitoring process to check progress. These six factors will determine whether you succeed or fail, and will also demonstrate your leadership abilities.
Employees who understand the vision and goals of company have a much better success rate than employees who just do their jobs regardless of company vision. Company owner must share the vision with employees so they can align everything they do in according with the vision and direction of the company. Although most good leaders appeared to naturally develop their vision but to many people, developing a vision can be difficult.
I have seen a company vision like “To make a lot of money”. Personally. I think that is a vague and selfish vision that do not define a good leadership. In this case, company’s employees may not agree with such a vision as it has nothing to do with them. Making lots of money may be the owner’s goal but what is in it for the employees? A good vision must be a shared vision. A good vision is something that both owner and employees desire. A good vision must be something short, easy to understand and easy to remember. The vision should guide the entire company for a long time. To create this vision, you should decide what you want. Think of something you would like to achieve, something noble, something your followers will be proud of. Few years ago, I saw a vision of a Japanese automobile company: “Produce the best quality cars for the lowest possible price.” This is an excellent example of a good vision as it is something that everybody in the company can share and be proud of. The direction is to build a quality cars and every employees want their products to be high quality. They will align whatever they do to achieve that “quality” vision. A vision like that also shows that the owner care for the customers too as they can benefit from buying a “quality product at the best price”. It sends a message to employees that the owner place the best interests of customers ahead of the company.
A vision is so important as it set the direction for other people to follow. It is an idea that can live forever, long after the people who created it have died. It is something that can be used to inspire those who are born many years into the future. Andrew Carnegie is one of the most richest people in America in the early 20th century but he gave everything he had to charity such as building libraries, museum, student scholarships, and an university – Carnegie Mellon. He wrote:”The day is not far distant when the man who dies leaving behind him millions of available wealth which he cannot take with him. Of such man the verdict will be, ‘The man who dies rich, dies disgraced”. Few years later, that vision change another very rich man: Bill Gates. After he came back from visiting Carnegie Mellon and Andrew Carnegie grave, he announced that he will also give everything he has to charity.
Sources
- Blogs of Prof. John Vu, Carnegie Mellon University
