Unlock the magnetic pull of a clear vision

Creating an inspiring vision starts with asking yourself what your organization is really here to do—its significant purpose. Imagine you lead a small library, and your purpose turns out to be ‘igniting curiosity beyond the bindings of every book.’ That’s a purpose higher than simply checking out books. Next, you craft your picture of the future—a library buzzing day and night with neighbors sharing e-readers, attending talks under a living-room lamp, and signing books by local authors, framed by murals painted by youth. You draw it, describe it, or build a board your team can see every day.

Values add direction: if you choose ‘welcoming,’ ‘creative,’ and ‘respectful’ and rank them, you now have a guide for daily decisions. Even when budget talk tries to cut the budget for local-author events, you remember that ‘welcoming’ outranks efficiency and you stand firm. Invite your team to co-create these statements. In one workshop, someone suggests ‘show and tell’ evening storytimes—an idea that wouldn’t have emerged without team input. When everyone’s thumbprint is on the vision, purpose becomes magnetic, drawing people in and guiding every choice.

In a world of fleeting attention, a vision that answers who you are, where you’re going, and what drives you shines like a beacon. It turns daily tasks into missions, turns employees into advocates, and transforms corners of your library into epicenters of community creativity. With a compelling vision, you’ll not only navigate change—you’ll welcome it as a step on the journey.

You’ll begin by defining a purpose that lights up why you exist, then you’ll sketch a vivid snapshot of your future success that anyone can picture easily. Next, you’ll pinpoint and prioritize three values, testing them against real-life dilemmas so they matter, and finally, you’ll open it up—invite your team’s revisions, weaving their unique insights into a living vision that people champion.