Reading Now: Demystifying the Development of An Organizational Vision

A vision is more than just a mission statement, says Mark Lipton. In this brief article, a clear preamble to his 2003 book Guiding Growth, Lipton makes a strong argument that companies and organizations that manage using a positive vision can have powerful results.

A vision can help employees understand what an organization stands for and what is expected of them. But having a vision is not enough, Lipton found. The key is effectively communicating that vision through the organization. With this tool, a vision can help “keep decision making in context”. In a fast paced consumer world, having that long-term view presents a road map to wanted outcomes. As Lipton puts it, a clearly understood vision creates a compass.

But what exactly is a vision statement? Lipton’s formula is simply stated: Vision = Mission + Strategy + Culture. This is the organization’s purpose, how that purpose will be achieved and the values presented in the everyday attitudes of the organization. Lipton’s article walks through what a great vision can do for a company (with inspiring examples) and why and how a vision can fail.

I’ve turned to Mr. Lipton’s articles and books about vision constantly since I was introduced to his theory in graduate school. I have found that keeping the vision present in tough conversations leads to a dramatic shift - a positive shift - in decision making. To simplify it drastically, having a vision is like the common saying about keeping an eye keenly on a goal - the obstacles tend to evaporate and the path to achieving those goals become clear.

To be honest, I’m a devout optimist and I love thinking about a bright, happy, better future, which is why the vision theory is so appealing to me. How about those self proclaimed pessimists out there? Do you think a vision statement is right for every organization?

You can download the article here:

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/23463272/2139850325/name/Demystifying+the+Development+of+an+Organizational+Vision.pdf

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Erin Kenny stumbled on the field of Organizational Development in graduate school when she came across an article about Appreciative Inquiry. She holds a master's degree in Nonprofit Management and a post-master's certificate in Organizational Development from Milano The New School of Management in New York City. She currently is a freelance organizational consultant working on projects in the Bay Area, most recently with the Mill Valley Philharmonic to create an audience development plan. Erin is a native of Utah but now consider the Bay Area her home. She is an amateur bassoonist and enjoys long-distance running.

Membership Has its Priviliges: USF and BAodn Team Up

The University of San Francisco's Business and Professional Studies department and BAodn teamed up to build a bridge between "real world" OD and OD students.  The concept is not new and has had great success in the past.

The event featured BAodn's own Melissa Daimler, Director of Organizational Development for Adobe Systems, Inc. Melissa has over 20 years of experience in OD, with an emphasis towards performance management, employee engagement, team and organizational effectiveness, employee & management development.

The venue was perfect.  Intimate enough to allow a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience transfer and exchange.  The university catered the event with teriffic Hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine.

The post event feedback was great.  Everyone enjoyed themselves and felt good about the session.  Melissa was of course, fabulous!
 

In the future, we hope to bring together communities of practice in the greater Bay Area, along with current and former OD and MBA students with an interest in OD. We will continue to bring great speakers  starting early next year.  BAodn is fortunate for our members to participate in this "invitation only", member benefit. If you wish to join Baodn please go to www.baodn.org.