Visioning is important because it lets you know what to do and what not to do. It helps you and your
organization decide what you, and it, want to be in the future. Consider the impact of these well-known
visions: “. . . land a man on the moon safely before the end of the decade.” “I have a dream.” “. . . life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” “Contract with America.” “. . . land of milk and honey.”
The payoff for visioning is getting to the second and third order of implications, and from them, developing
a strategic vision. “If this, then what?”
1. Identify implications and use alternatives, not as the answer, but to help frame the important
questions. Think of longer-term and unintended consequences.
2. Challenge assumptions by uncovering and clarifying them. Challenge conventional wisdom;
assume nothing and question everything. You may need to tear down organizational taboos.
Validate assumptions by cross-checking them.
3. Think visionary; i.e., develop a strategic vision and put it in a time continuum. The strategic goals
should stretch you. Leverage the positive to get what you think and know that any useful
statement about the future should appear to be ridiculous; if not, it’s based on the past and
present. Ask “what if” questions. Sense and enable the future.