I love the fresh energy that comes with a new year. Starting this week, my goal is to harness all that hope and turn it into something that can transform your business in 2021.

Welcome to the BOS Media Leadership Series. Over the next month, I’ll be sharing the best practices that define all successful companies, along with the keys to implementing them for maximum impact.

It all starts with VISION.

The first question that a leader must ask is:
Does Your Team Know Where You Are Going?

That might sound obvious, but you might be surprised at how many leaders struggle with their answer. We often just take it for granted, and when we do try to put it into words, we fumble around, or use vague language that lacks focus.

It reminds me of the legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi. Every football season, he’d start the first practice by holding up a ball in front of the team and saying, “This is a football.” He understood that leadership means having absolute clarity on the fundamental question: where are we going?

Part of answering that question well requires making a distinction between vision and mission.

Vision vs Mission

Most leaders don’t know the difference, but they should, because it’s an essential part of leadership.

Vision is a clear, inspiring, practical, attractive picture of your organization’s future. It defines the future of your team, your product, your marketing, and your impact.

In short, vision is the “Where.” It answers, where are we going?

Mission is the “Why.” Why are we going there? Why do we do what we do?

In order to lead well, we must start with vision. Take some time this week to clearly define your vision statement, and work on communicating it to your team in a way that leaves no doubt about where you’re headed.

Here’s to 2021 being a year of greater purpose and success for your company.

Related posts:

How To Write Your Vision Script But Why? How NOT to Write Your Mission Statement Mission: Possible