Vision, mission and values

Three concepts

The White Book preamble lists giving direction as the first task of leadership. Proverbs says: “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint” (Prov 29:18) - a verse often quoted in the English-speaking world (in the KJV form “where there is no vision, the people perish”) as an argument for vision.

Features of a good vision

John Kotter (Leading Change, 1996) lists the features of an effective vision: imaginable, desirable, feasible, focused, flexible and communicable - it can be explained in five minutes. James Kouzes and Barry Posner (The Leadership Challenge) name “inspire a shared vision” as one of the five practices of exemplary leaders: vision is not the leader's private dream but expresses people's aspirations.

Jim Collins and Jerry Porras (Built to Last, 1994) showed that enduring organisations combine a core ideology (values and purpose) with ambitious goals for the future (BHAG - big hairy audacious goals).

From vision to action

• Formulating - together, involving key people (see discernment).
• Communicating - repeatedly, in many ways, by personal example (see leadership communication).
• Translating into goals - e.g. annual SMART goals.
• Decisions aligned with the vision - vision works as a filter: what we say “yes” and “no” to.
• Reminding of the “why” - see golden circle.

A Christian perspective

A community does not create its mission from scratch - it receives it from Christ (Matt 28:19-20) and from its own charism. The leader's task is to discern the vision rather than invent it, and then help the community live it. An example is Nehemiah, who first prays and assesses the situation, and only then shares the vision of rebuilding the walls.