Leadership Vision: An Essential Influencing Mechanism

Kouzes and Posner (2002) have established the need for vision. However, the question remains as to whether vision is necessary for the organization to move forward toward the goal. Moreover, is the presence of leadership vision sufficient for an organization to more toward a common purpose? Consider that some members of any constituency will follow instructions provided by leaders and move toward a goal—an ideal notion or image of the goal or leadership is not required. Providing a clear vision for the organization provides an additional and sometimes essential influencing mechanism, but, clearly, organizations can and do accomplish tasks without a clear vision from leadership. The employees may not be very happy, productive or stay with the organization very long, but possessing a vision is not an absolute necessity. Some constituents will simply follow the example of other leaders without grasping the organizational vision. Still other members of the team will proceed because they are paid to or see advancement opportunity. Consider also that there may be degrees of effectively communicating a vision to some or all members of a group. A clearly articulated vision may not be necessary to make some progress, but a vision is necessary to achieve sustained progress toward a goal.

Reference

Kouzes, J.M., & Posner, B.Z. (2002). The leadership challenge (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.