How to Create a Vivid Vision: A guide to building a clear and inspiring future for your organisation

Introduction:

In the realm of business and leadership, having a clear and inspiring vision is paramount to success. A Vivid Vision is a powerful tool that enables leaders to paint a detailed picture of their organisation's future. It serves as a compass, guiding the team towards a common goal and inspiring them to work with purpose and passion. One of the foremost advocates of the Vivid Vision concept is Cameron Herold, a renowned entrepreneur, author, and business growth expert. In this blog, we will explore the art of creating a Vivid Vision, drawing insights from Cameron Herold's book Vivid Vision.

As a Scaling Up coach, one of the first exercises that I do with the CEO and the Leadership team is get to work on their Vivid Vision. This really helps to focus on what great will look like in three years time and sets down the road map on how  we will achieve it together.

What is a Vivid Vision?

Before delving into the process of creating a Vivid Vision, let's first understand what it entails. Cameron Herold popularised the concept of a Vivid Vision, encouraging leaders to craft a detailed and inspiring three-year plan for their organisation. This visionary document should be shared with the entire team to provide clarity and alignment, motivating each individual to contribute their best to achieve the common goal. A well-crafted Vivid Vision should be vivid, specific, and inspirational, offering a clear picture of what the organisation will become in the future.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Vivid Vision:

1. Reflect on Your Purpose and Values:

A strong Vivid Vision is built on a solid foundation of purpose and values. Begin by reflecting on the core purpose of your organisation, the "why" behind everything you do. What impact do you want to make in the world? What problem do you aim to solve? Clarifying your purpose will serve as the guiding North Star throughout the Vivid Vision creation process.

Next, identify your organisations core values. These values shape your culture and define the behaviours and decisions that align with your mission. Think about the principles that guide your team's actions and ensure they resonate with your overall vision.

2. Visualise Your Ideal Future:

Imagination is a powerful tool in creating a Vivid Vision. Allow yourself to dream big and visualise your organisation's ideal future. Picture your team working cohesively, achieving remarkable results, and delivering exceptional value to clients. Visualise the impact your organisation will have on the lives of your customers and the broader community. Make sure that you do this exercise away from the office, ideally find a space where you are able to dream big and capture these ideas in your notebook.

As you envision this future, use vivid language to describe it. Cameron Herold suggests incorporating all five senses into your description to make the vision more tangible and engaging. For example, describe how your office space will look, how your team will interact with clients, and the emotions that clients will experience when they engage with your products or services.

3. Define Specific Objectives:

A Vivid Vision is not a vague wish list; it's a concrete plan for the future. Break down your ideal future into specific, measurable, and time-bound objectives. Consider the key milestones you need to achieve to realise your vision. These objectives should be ambitious yet achievable, challenging your team to strive for excellence. Always write as if you were 3 years from todays date in the future.

4. Map Out Key Strategies:

With your objectives in mind, map out the key strategies and action steps required to attain each milestone. These strategies should align with your purpose and values, ensuring consistency in your approach. Consider the resources, talents, and skills needed to execute these strategies successfully.

5. Involve Your Team:

A Vivid Vision is not just the leader's vision; it's a collective aspiration for the entire team. Involve your team members in the process of creating the Vivid Vision. Encourage open dialogue, feedback, and ideas from all levels of the organisation. When team members feel ownership of the vision, they are more likely to be committed and motivated to achieve it.

6. Communicate Clearly and Frequently:

Once your Vivid Vision is crafted, communicate it clearly and frequently to the entire organisation. Use various platforms and channels to share the vision, such as a launch to all your colleagues, emails, and company intranets. Repetition is key to embedding the vision into the hearts and minds of your team.

Cameron Herold's Best Practices for Crafting a Vivid Vision:

1. Be Bold and Specific:

A Vivid Vision should be bold and ambitious, pushing the boundaries of what seems achievable. Avoid vague language and strive for specificity. Use precise numbers, metrics, and timelines to create a vivid and tangible picture of your future.

2. Focus on the Outcome, Not the How:

A Vivid Vision should focus on the outcome you want to achieve, rather than the detailed steps to get there. Leave room for flexibility and creativity, allowing your team to find innovative solutions to reach the shared destination.

3. Incorporate Stories and Examples:

To make your Vivid Vision more relatable and memorable, incorporate stories and examples. Share success stories and testimonials that demonstrate how your organisation has positively impacted clients and customers.

4. Revisit and Revise Regularly:

A Vivid Vision is a living document that should evolve with your organisation. Regularly revisit and revise the vision to align it with changing market conditions, technological advancements, and new opportunities.

Conclusion:

A Vivid Vision is a transformative tool that can ignite passion, alignment, and exceptional performance within an organisation. By following Cameron Herold's principles and embracing the power of visualisation, leaders can craft a compelling and inspiring vision of their organisation's future. Reflect on your purpose and values, visualise your ideal future, define specific objectives, map out key strategies, involve your team, and communicate the vision clearly and frequently. Through this process, leaders can create a shared vision that empowers their teams to work towards a brighter, more prosperous future. Embrace the power of the Vivid Vision, and watch your organisation soar to new heights of success and fulfilment.