elements of leadership- part 1-Casting Vision

One of the qualities that effective leaders process is the ability to communicate their vision for the organization.  In order for subordinates to understand how they fit into the organization and find meaning for what they do from day to day they need to understand the vision.  When the subordinates understand the vision they will make decisions and take actions that will further the cause for accomplishing the vision.  Without understanding the leader’s vision the actions the subordinates take will support the subordinates’ vision for the organization, and that vision may not be in accord with the leader’s vision; every member walks out their own vision of where the organization is going and the actions of how to get there.  This leads to a cacophony of voices without a clear focus and clear direction.  Even when the subordinates have excellent interpersonal relations and are in apparent unity there will be a lack of focus and directed energy because there won’t be a common vision.  It is up to the leadership to establish the vision so that unity will come as the collective parts have the same vision and consequently the same goals.  (This does not negate the need for employees to have the skill levels that will permit them to create processes and procedures that will cause actions to facilitate attainment of common goals that flow from the vision.)