It is interesting to see, once again, how different the mental models of
people can be. In my mind, a vision statement that does NOT introduce new
concepts is not only not effective, it is not worth developing. Why
bother? If you want the organization to continue down the path it is
already heading, you don't need to do much-just let it go.
Vision statements are most useful (in my mental model) when they introduce
a new, personally exciting direction. For example, Kennedy's vision of
"putting a man on the moon and bringing him home safely by the end of the
decade" is a good example of a vision. It is short, simple, easy to
understand and the constraints are clear (within 10 years and bringing him
home safely).
Clyde Kesling
Corporate Transformation and Strategy
Electronic Data Systems
ckesling@knet.eds.com