From vision to strategy

There can sometimes be a disconnect between how leaders perceive 'strong’ leadership, and how their teams define it. Whilst it is true that leaders must establish and communicate a compelling vision, truly energising leadership goes a step further by delivering this vision into the hands of the team, empowering them and encouraging a culture of innovation and collaboration to achieve shared goals.

Understanding and defining the key underlying goals of an organisation is the first step towards creating such a culture, and it is often something which can ‘get lost’ in the mire of everyday tasks. The timeless adage about making time to work on the business rather than just in it remains as relevant as ever – it truly is impossible to be an inspiring leader without having absolute clarity on what the ultimate aim of the organisation is.

Once the central ambition is defined, the next step is to identify what has hindered the organisation from achieving it so far. By understanding the obstacles standing in the way and determining how to overcome them – suddenly a strategic plan is born.

The power of shared purpose

At this point a crossroads is reached – the strategic plan can be confined to the leadership team, or it can be leveraged as a tool to motivate and energise the whole team. By communicating the underlying goals with authenticity and integrity - and being transparent about potential obstacles along the way - the wider team can connect with the strategy, whilst delegation of suitable parts of the plan will instil a sense of ownership and active participation in the team.

There is every likelihood, also, that the leadership team will not – and often can’t - have the answers to overcoming every obstacle, and that new ones will appear along the way. By engaging teams in strategic problem-solving, they become more invested in achieving the central goals and are therefore more empowered to contribute to overcoming obstacles. Organisations operating in this manner are those that are true learning organisations, where continuous feedback and improvement is a result of a fully engaged and collaborative team.

With energising and inspiring leadership, organisations are also generally more resilient in the face of challenges and uncertainty. The key to this resilience lies in the clarity of the underlying goals. When the goals remain clear, regardless of external factors, the team is united by a shared purpose, enabling them to navigate even the most unpredictable business environments with confidence and cohesion.

Ultimately, creating a sound strategic plan is something that all leaders should be expected to do, but truly energising leaders are those that then ensure that their teams are engaged, empowered and aligned with this strategy and know how they can contribute to its success. In a challenging landscape for organisations, this shared purpose could be the key ingredient to delivering that plan successfully.

Contact us to explore how you can align your leadership approach with a clear strategic vision; we’d be happy to discuss your specific circumstances.

This article was published in the Spring 2025 edition of Essex Director