How much time and how many meetings have been devoted to crafting a well-articulated mission statement, and making sure it is clever, understandable, concise and memorable?

Mission statements and vision casting are super helpful. They paint a picture that can inspire and excite people to join the team, give and serve. 

We can’t just paint a picture and cast a vision. There must be a plan.

I’ll be honest, I haven’t heard many people talk about the strategy or the plan that goes along with the vision. However, I’ve heard a lot about crafting and communicating a vision.

It’s true, where there is no vision, the people perish. But is that all there is? Or is there more to the story?

Carey Nieuwhof writes, “Generating incredible ideas is one thing. Acting on them is quite another. A B+ strategy, well-executed, trumps an A+ idea every time.”

When I read this I was blown away. It is so simple. And yet it is not always communicated that way. 

May this encourage you—don’t just generate an amazing idea—follow it up with a wonderful strategy that can be executed well by you and your team.

What vision have you communicated but not backed up with an effective strategy to execute the vision? 

What action do you need to take to turn the vision statement into a cultural value in your context?

A good plan will beat out a great idea every time. Let’s be biblical leaders who don’t just have great ideas, but turn them into great plans.

Photo source: istock