I'm not buying!

Colleagues,

MVP: Instead of selling your vision, try helping others build one that will endure even after you are gone.

One of my secret peeves is hearing people exhort leaders to “sell the vision!”

I hate that saying because it implies you are selling your vision.

What’s wrong with your vision?

Three things:

1. It is limited by your own experiences and imagination.
   
2. The organization doesn’t belong to you.
   
3. If you are a school leader you will probably be somewhere else in 3-5 years, but many of those people you “sold” your vision to will still be there. And they probably aren’t going to get much of a trade-in deal when the next leader comes around selling their new vision.
   

What’s the alternative?

Build a collective vision that will endure after you have gone, one that expresses the aspirations of the stakeholders.

And if you aren’t convinced, consider this: Most people who have already been through multiple leaders will not purchase your vision, or – worse – will pay with counterfeit money. 🤑

Today’s intention: Just sit with this one today.

Cheers!

Frederick