Clarity for the leader and team members
It is important for every team to be clear about the mission, values, vision, culture and strategic objectives of that team. If you as the leader, aren’t clear, there is no way that your team members will have clarity. Each team member needs to have a common language when speaking about these things. If you do not have a common language and agreed upon vision and values, no one can move forward. Language is very powerful.
The power of language
We see the power of language in Genesis Chapter 11. The people of this time spoke a common language. They came together to build this great tower. They were looking to make a name for themselves and bring honor and glory to themselves instead of obeying and honoring God.
Genesis 11:6-7 “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.
God had specific reasons for not wanting them to build this tower and by confusing their language he prevented them from accomplishing their mission.
If you want to accomplish your mission, you must all be speaking the same language. You can not have each person having their own mission statement or their own set of values. If they do, your team is sure to fail. You must go through the difficult process of learning to use the same language and of having the same mission, values and vision. This is the only way you will be able to move forward and accomplish your mission.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- On a scale of 1-10, rate the language clarity of your team on mission, vision, and values.
- Write down a brief summary of the mission, vision, values, strategies and culture of your organization. (Download the Team Worksheet.)
- What can you do as a leader to begin to create a clear language for your team?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
