Full speed ahead

Author: Ken Blanchard
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: When do we need a vision? Usually when development, change, and opportunities are on the horizon, because only with a vision can we ensure we are moving in the right direction. But when we can't be sure about the future, when we lose confidence in leadership, in the organization, or in ourselves, we also need a vision. We need to shift our focus from "What should I do next?" to "What should I do first?" Let's go back to the fundamental questions: You need to know who you are, where you are heading, and what will guide you along the way—this is your vision. If we want to succeed, we must start here (or re-examine). When we are doing meaningful work that we truly want to do, we will find that our productivity and creativity far exceed our imagination.
Ken Blanchard and Jesse Stoner show us in this book how to set a vision for your company and your personal life—a vision that will unleash your power and potential to help you move "full steam ahead!" They use numerous practical and effective vision examples to teach us how to set long-term goals that guide your daily actions. Through a small story between the two authors, this book reveals many valuable lessons and insights. One of the protagonists in the story—Jim Carpenter is the president of a mid-sized insurance company, who initially did not set a vision for his company. Although the company was doing well, Jim strongly felt it could do even better. The arrival of Ellie brought a new perspective. Together, they discovered that a successful vision should have three key elements: a meaningful purpose, clear values, and a future blueprint. They also found that by understanding how to create, communicate, and execute a vision, people can see the immense power and vitality of a vision.