A vision can be shared only if it has meaning for the people involved in it. You can t be the only one making decisions. You can t be the only leader. Rather you have to create an environment in which people at all levels are empowered to be leaders, to subscribe to your vision, and to make effective decisions. To communicate a vision, you need more than words, speeches, memos and laminated plaques.
Actions do speak louder than words.
And the leader has to express that determination, or purpose, in various ways. There can be many different purposes. Michael Eisner once told me that Disney didn t have a vision statement, but rather a strong point of view about the Disney culture. When making big decisions, Eisner says, the strongest point of view almost always wins the argument. Max DePree, the former CEO of Herman Miller, once said, The first task of a leader is to help define reality.