Episode 39: Vision & Leadership

In Episode 39 of Life & Leadership with Kim Williams, I reflect on a critical moment in my leadership journey—when I struggled to create a meaningful vision for the future. I had done the research, reviewed industry projections, and drafted several options to present to my leadership team. Yet, none of them felt right.

Most of the plans I considered were “safe.” A few were bold. But I wasn’t excited about any of them, and I certainly didn’t have peace. So, I set the plans aside and turned to prayer for guidance. When I revisited the process, I was reminded of something powerful: the foundation of any vision lies in purpose.

If you’re in a similar place, trying to craft a future-focused plan for your organization, I encourage you to work through the same steps I used to refine my approach to vision and leadership.

Step 1: What is your mission?

Everything begins here.When I was struggling to align our vision, I realized I needed to come back to the core question: Why do we do this work?Your mission is the anchor of your organization, the “why” that drives everything you do.

Revisit the people you serve and the way you serve them. Who are they? What impact do you want to make in their lives? Grounding your vision in the mission ensures it will remain meaningful and relevant, no matter how the world changes around you.

Step 2: Is it still an urgent and substantial need?

Once you’ve reaffirmed your mission, ask: Is this work still urgent?

Needs evolve. What was pressing five years ago may not be as critical today, or it may have shifted in ways that require a fresh approach. Dive into data, talk to stakeholders, and stay connected with the people you serve. Understanding whether the need remains substantial will help you shape a vision that reflects reality.

Step 3: Have the root causes or contributing factors changed?

This question was a game-changer for me. I realized that while some contributing factors to the issues we address had remained the same, others had shifted significantly.

For example, before the pandemic, low wages were one of the primary barriers for the people we serve. But post-pandemic, wages have risen in many industries—yet the cost of housing has skyrocketed, far outpacing income growth.

This realization reshaped our vision. Addressing affordable housing and wage alignment became more critical to our plan than ever before. Examine how root causes or external factors have evolved and consider how your organization’s strategies need to adjust to meet those changes.

Step 4: Is your organization poised to address these factors?

It’s not enough to identify the need—you also have to assess your organization’s ability to respond.

Are your resources, expertise, and partnerships aligned with the challenges ahead? Do you need to invest in new skills, expand your team, or pivot your approach? Proactively preparing to address current and predicted challenges will position your organization as a leader in your space.

Step 5: What shared interests unite your stakeholders?

Your core constituents and supporters often share mutual concerns, even if they approach the issue from different perspectives. By identifying these overlaps, you can craft messaging and marketing strategies that resonate more deeply.

For instance, we found that both our constituents and supporters were concerned about housing affordability. Highlighting this shared interest allowed us to bring people together around a common cause and amplify our impact.

Bringing It All Together

Asking these five questions brought clarity and inspiration to our vision-casting process. They grounded our plans in purpose, ensured we addressed urgent needs, and helped us adapt to changing circumstances.

If you’re seeking to cast a relevant and inspiring vision for your organization’s future, start with these steps:

1. What is your mission?

2. Is it still an urgent and substantial need?

3. Have the root causes or contributing factors changed?

4. Is your organization poised to address these factors?

5. What shared interests unite your stakeholders?

   
   

These insights will help you chart a path forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

If you need support refining your vision, let’s connect.