How to Set a Vision That Actually Drives Change
Too often, vision statements are written, approved, and then… forgotten. As an academic leader, you've likely been part of a vision-setting process that produced a beautifully worded statement—but did it actually change anything?
Scott J. Wakefield, founder of the Institute of Creative Learning, experienced this firsthand in his leadership role at an art college. Reflecting on a previou vision statement, he shares:
“It only had 22 words… It sounded pretty good! But there was a problem: The vision statement was so vague, there was no way to tell when we had reached our vision.”
If your institution’s vision feels too vague and disconnected from daily decision-making, you’re not alone. The good news? There’s a better way.
Our workbook How to Set Vision provides a step-by-step method to craft a vision statement that is clear, actionable, and can be immediately and deeply embedded in your group’s strategy.
In this blog, you will discover the process and value of using our workbook to create a comprehensive vision statement.
The 4 Essential Steps to a Stronger Vision
Rather than rushing to craft the perfect sentence, we emphasize a collaborative approach that ensures your vision reflects the priorities of your team. The process begins with:
Step 1: Giving Your Team a Vision Quiz
Before drafting anything, engage your team with targeted questions like:
What are three words that describe our current program?
What is one word you wish described our program?
What is your biggest hope for our department’s future?
These types of questions spark honest reflection and help surface the core themes that should shape your vision.
Step 2: Identifying Key Ideas
As your team responds, patterns will emerge. Wakefield again recalls his own team’s insights:
“They responded with words like rigorous, comprehensive, competitive, selective, well-known, strong. As I spent time with their responses, three key principles started to emerge: rigor, selectivity, and support.”
By identifying and prioritizing your own themes, your team ensures that the vision is grounded in your shared values.
Step 3: Drafting the Vision Statement
This step is best done by the leader at first, compiling the ideas into a comprehensive draft. Wakefield advises:
“A vision statement does not need to be short – it needs to be crystal clear.”
Instead of distilling your vision into a catchy phrase, focus on specificity. Imagine your future in vivid detail—what does success look like in three or five years? What tangible outcomes will signal to you that your vision has been realized?
Step 4: Finalizing and Expanding the Vision
Once drafted, share it with your team. Encourage discussion and refinement without getting lost in wordsmithing. The goal is clarity and depth, not brevity. We also suggest incorporating visuals—diagrams, symbols, or even a student journey timeline—to make the vision visible and memorable.
Moving from Vision to Action
The real power of vision isn’t in the words—it’s in how it shapes decisions. As Robert Fritz said:
“Vision has power... [it] can help you organize your actions, focus your values, and clearly see what is relevant.”
The workbook How to Set Vision doesn’t stop at crafting a vision statement—it includes concrete steps to convert vision into strategy. If you’re ready to move beyond generic aspirations and create a vision that genuinely guides your leadership, this resource is a must-have.
Download your copy today and start leading with a vision that works!
- Written by ICL Staff