I went mountain biking the other day with some friends, because my mate had organised it and picked a place and date. I had been meaning to get out on my bike for a couple of months and just hadn’t got round to doing it. Why hadn’t I organised it? Because there was no bigger purpose to it than just enjoying it, so I needed someone else to take the initiative.
I do however go out for a run regularly at the moment, on my own initiative, not just because I enjoy it, to be honest sometimes it’s hard work and I really don’t fancy it. I go because have entered the Brighton half marathon and I want not only to be able to complete it but also beat my mates who have also entered. I have a bigger purpose and vision of success to work to.
I have run a few vision workshops recently where people have discovered great purpose, values and big hairy goals for their companies or teams. However the biggest concerns that some people had following the sessions was how will those they are leading respond to it? Will they think its cheesy?
I believe as long as the purpose and vision are embodied and believed by the person delivering them, then people will want to hear it, and buy into it, because people want a purpose to what they do. They want to have big goals to aim for.
If they don’t have purpose then you have to organise them and chase them a lot more. If they do they will take the initiative and go the extra mile, even when they don’t really feel like it.
If you are interested in developing your leadership or creating more effective teams we would love to have a conversation.
