It’s because they are a mission without a vision.
I wrote about how Christmas is a mission and new year’s resolutions usually are as well: lose weight, quit smoking, go to the gym twice a week, run a marathon, save more, learn more, drink less.
These are all missions. As a coach I know defining them more would make them more effective, maybe: drop a dress size by Easter, cut down cigarettes by one a week so I’ve stopped by ‘x’ date, save 5% of my salary 6 months then review.
But I also know when we make them part of a vision they become more powerful. The vision for the missions above might be:
| Mission | Vision |
| Drop a dress size by Easter | Feel and look like ‘me’ again |
| Cut down cigarettes by one a week so I’ve stopped by ‘x’ date | To help myself have a longer and healthier life |
| Save 5% of my salary 6 months then review | To be more financially secure |
The vision sits above mission and is about why you are on that mission.
What resolutions do you have that you could turn into a vision?
Every school has a vision, or mission, but most don’t do the job they need to do: breathe energy into your team with a picture of the future.
A great vision:
- Motivates your team to go further, to climb that mountain.
- Breathes energy into your team with the picture of the future it paints.
- Is your guiding star and allows you to make good decisions based on it; despite what the latest initiatives are, you’ll be able to do what your school needs to in order to become an incredibly special place for your children.
- Stands the test of time as you won’t need to revise it in 3, 5 or 10 years if you get it right (and it’ll last beyond your ‘Outstanding’ judgement).
- Is easy to remember, not because it’s short or pithy, but because it’s meaningful.
Let me share with you how to create a powerful, compelling vision with my free e-course:
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