DQ: Why is vision essential to facilitating successful change in an organization?
LDR 615 Topic 2 DQ 1
Why is vision essential to facilitating successful change in an organization? What is the correlation between a leader’s role/vision and a successful change initiative? Describe a vision that you have seen/heard/read/viewed that you felt inspired successful change. How did this vision influence people’s behavior and attitudes toward a major change initiative?
A vision provides a future orientation and direction to the leaders, employees and other stakeholders of an organization. There is a compelling component to the vision, which motivates, inspires and engages people into action. Change requires extra dose of motivation to overcome the resistance and inertia. A vision articulates the purpose and meaning to overcome the impediments of change.
An organizational change requires transformation of processes and structures of the organization. An ordinary approach to change is unlikely to bring a revolution to the established systems. A leader with vision and capability to inspire people is required to bring about change. The researchers have observed that most discontinuous changes have occurred under a particular leadership, which indicates the correlation between a leader and change.
Many research studies are available to highlight the organizational changes initiated by Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric. The case of Jack Welch confirms that it is possible to undertake a rapid, deliberate and fundamental change in the organizational processes and structure. Jack Welch defined the role of a leader is to unlock a compelling vision, get buy-ins from the stakeholders, and quickly implement the change initiatives. For becoming such a leader, he advises open and caring relationships with the employees.
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Thank you for sharing your post with us. I agree that the vision is what the company plans on taking the organization in the future. I believe the vision statement is important for any organization, and it was something that I looked for when I changed jobs earlier this year. I read up on the organization, including its vision statement. I wanted to ensure their vision was in line with mine, and that it was something I could get behind. Organizational change is so important, but I believe when implementing it, it is important to do it the right way. What I mean by that is communication. If you just drop a change and expect people to change, issues will arise. Of course, with communication, you will still have resistance. However, when you communicate the change, it allows leaders to speak to their employees about the change and how it will impact that department. It allows that open dialogue to have those discussions. You touched on Jack Welch and his definition of a leader. How can you get the buy-in from stakeholders when it comes to change? How can you develop those relationships to build upon the trust with your employees?
In many successful organization the role of vision is one of the most important foundation to have. Vision set the path in which the organization will follow. The vision set the bar for what direction all involved will be traveling down in order to achieve this success. The following exert from Indeed explain in a clear and concise manner the what and why of the importance of vision. “A vision statement is a declaration of an organization’s objectives. This statement can serve as a guide for the business, indicating a defined direction for growth and goals. As a company grows, its vision statement may change slightly to adapt to differing needs, but the main idea typically remains the same. Formal company documents—such as employee handbooks—usually contain the vision statement. However, some organizations advertise their statement on their website and other public platforms.
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A vision statement should motivate the organization’s employees and outline its ultimate goals. While a mission statement concentrates on what a company can provide for its customers, a vision statement is more self-focused, outlining the goals of the business for growth and success.
Consider the vision statement as an umbrella description of what is important to the company and how it helps to improve the world around it. This includes not only customers but potential employees as well. When the vision statement is able to connect to our inner values, it can be easy to admire that organization and support it in a variety of ways. We consider this a powerful communication tool in such a short statement.” (Wike, 2021)
In my own life my wife and myself have started a non-profit to aid children fighting cancer. We lost our son in 2013, on Christmas Eve, to Osteosarcoma, or bone cancer. Due to this we formed our organization with the vision every child battling cancer receives a battle pack filled with items unique to them as well as their family receiving financial assistance during these times. With this, we set our standards and goals for not only us, but our stakeholders as well.
Thanks,
Reference:
Wike, E. (2021, September 1). Vision Statements: Tips, Example and Importance. Indeed Career Guide. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/vision-statements
I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. I imagine that by creating a vision and a plan to help other families and children with cancer, you have found a way to channel your pain and grief and process the loss. It is inspirational and shows great strength and resiliency.
I found an interesting website that talks about vision and how it’s helpful to have one personally and in your work. In the article, they state, “defining a vision adds meaning to our lives and helps us to focus and achieve goals and objectives”. As a nurse, the vision of my hospital to be in the top 1% is inspirational to me and helps me to focus on continual improvement of the care we provide (a work example). For you, you’ve chosen a personal vision that will influence the direction of your life and make an important difference in the lives of others (a personal example). I think the takeaway here is we should all develop a vision! Good things come from having a purpose and a goal to shoot for!
Have a great evening and thank you for your post!
Thank you for the reply and your condolences. In our nonprofit and any companies, the vision statement is our light on the path to know direction. I have found using this as a means of foundation for employees and a standard in customer and stakeholder service set the bar needed for success. The article you read seems very informative, with knowledge that is applicable in real world situations. I like your ending statement of good things come from having a purpose and goal, as this is so true.
According to Huyer (2014), one of the key leadership competencies for success is leading ourselves, staff and organizations through change. As leaders, it is of utmost importance to always be looking ahead to see what is coming and preparing or adjusting based on what is to come (Huyer, 2014). A vision statement, according to Kotter et. al (2012), should have six characteristics: imaginable (conveys a clear picture), desirable (appeals to interests), feasible (realistic and attainable), focused (concise and clear), flexible (general enough to allow for adjustments) and communicable (easily explained and easily understood). Vision is essential to facilitating successful change in an organization because it provides a realistic and actionable goal that can guide the strategy to make a change (Cummins et. al, 2014). A leader’s role/vision is essential to a successful change initiative because the vision is what unifies who will enact the change and those that are impacted by the change behind the single vision. This helps ensure that all actions are made with the intention of fulfilling the vision (Cummins et. al, 2014).
One vision that has inspired a successful change was the establishment of manometry services in our outpatient endoscopy center. There are only two healthcare settings in the islands that provide these services to the whole state of Hawaii. Prior to opening up these services, most patients faced a backlog of these studies as not one site could keep up with the demand. To date, the unit performs over 30 studies a month, with the possibility of doing more, but there are not many nurses who are not trained in the studies, which is a barrier we are in the process of overcoming. The change was a welcomed one to our patients and the staff as it created access to a much needed service for our patients.
References:
Cummins, H., Evans, A., & Emdad, A. (2020, November 19). Change management:Establishing your vision for change. Sales Enablement PRO. Retrieved April 1, 2023, from https://salesenablement.pro/expertise/change-management-establishing-your-vision-for-change/
Huyer, D. (2014). Leading Change through Vision. Leadership Excellence, 31(6), 19.
Kotter, J. P., & Cohen, D. S. (2012). The heart of change: Real-Life stories of how people change their organizations. Harvard Business Review Press.
A vision is essential in facilitating successful change in an organization because it provides a clear direction and purpose for the change initiative. Having a compelling vision helps people understand the need for change, envision the desired future state, and align their efforts towards achieving that vision. It acts as a guiding star, motivating and inspiring individuals to embrace change and work towards its realization.
The leader’s role in the change process is crucial, and their vision plays a significant part in driving the change initiative’s success. According to Huyer (2014), leaders must articulate a compelling vision that is both inspiring and realistic. A well-defined vision helps the leader communicate the purpose, benefits, and expected outcomes of the change initiative to the organization. It sets a clear direction, provides guidance, and creates a sense of urgency and excitement among the employees, which is crucial for successful change implementation.
One inspiring example of a vision for an all-inclusive organization through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) that includes hiring military spouses and veterans can be found in the initiatives taken by certain corporations or institutions. Some great organizations that exhibit this vision and have implemented them are Hiring Our Heroes, Work for Warrior, and Blue Star Families. Imagine a vision where an organization commits to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that values the unique perspectives and experiences of all employees. This vision emphasizes the importance of DEI, including the active recruitment and hiring of military spouses and veterans. The organizations recognize the sacrifices and skills military spouses and veterans bring and seek to create a supportive environment that allows them to thrive professionally. They aim to build a culture that celebrates differences, ensures equal opportunities, and eliminates barriers that hinder inclusivity.
Such a vision influences people’s behavior and attitudes towards a major change initiative by creating a sense of purpose and unity. It encourages employees to embrace diversity and actively contribute to building an inclusive environment. People would be more likely to support the recruitment and hiring of military spouses and veterans, recognizing the value they bring to the organizations. This vision would foster collaboration, empathy, and respect among team members, leading to improved morale, productivity, and innovation. How do you believe a compelling vision can influence people’s behavior and attitudes towards a major change initiative in an organization? Can you share any personal experiences or examples that illustrate the impact of a powerful vision in driving successful change?
References:
Huyer, D. (2014). Leading Change through Vision. Leadership Excellence, 31(6), 19.