Herd The Cats, With Visual Thinking
Good leaders know that a strategy is only as good as the buy-in behind it. After all, a team without a shared vision isn’t really a team at all. It’s just a collection of individuals doing their own things, heading in their own directions.
Here’s are a few ways to use visual notes and strategic illustration to align your team, build meaningful momentum, and herd the proverbial cats.
Visualize A Unified Approach
Nothing stunts buy-in at the base than lack of alignment at the top.
In the planning stage, graphic facilitation helps leadership get clear on their strategic priorities, so that they can deliver a unified and consistent message on the broader stage.
When rolling your vision out to the team, visual notes can also help maintain attention and anchor big picture ideas in easy-to-follow illustrations. When everyone literally sees the same picture, it’s a lot easier for everyone to move in the same direction together.
Invite Input (And Be Ready To Take It)
Want your team truly invested in your strategy? Let them build it with you. While the path a company takes is ultimately up to leadership, it’s important to consult team members as you design the steps you’re asking them to walk.
Consider hosting a listening session to share your vision with function leads. Ask them for feedback on whether key metrics are achievable, and what they need in order to be successful. A scribe can capture their input in real time, demonstrating that you listen and value their perspectives.
And be sure that if you’re asking for team members’ thoughts, you either incorporate them into your planning or articulate why another direction is required.
Draw A Path To Progress
For folks to feel invested in their work, they need to understand why it matters, and what it’s building towards. Illustrated journey maps give you a tool to visualize not just KPIs and success metrics, but also to show how every function and effort supports a larger goal.
Let’s Herd Those Cats!
Ready to get your team on the same page? Let’s talk! Book your free creative consultation here.