"We must learn how to give an organization of specialists a common vision, a view of the whole."
The information age has brought about a workforce of specialists. A group of specialists can't be brought together like sheep because of the fact they are specialists. Each one will view things from their unique specialty and viewpoint.
This is why it has become increasingly important to impart the vision of the company and project being introduced in a powerful and compelling way so every specialist and person that will have a part in it understands the whole. The vision will be what brings those various parts together.
Part of this is including workers in the process of the vision so they have ownership in it, but still, the vision must be understood by all that will be involved with it.
People can only be brought together if the vision is common to them all and they understand their place and part in it.
The vision of a company is one thing that should overall never change. That vision should be communicated on a continuous basis to remind workers that they belong to something bigger than themselves.
Mostly we're talking in this post about vision as it relates to projects or requirements customers make upon us.
Once we involve everyone in the process, and a vision of what it is and how to get there emerges, we must summarize and communicate this until everyone is on the same page.
The unique thing about the business climate we work in today, is it's always fluid and moving. So all those participating in a project must know the end result expected, but within the execution phase, there can be all sorts of adaptations made to reach the end result.
It is here that managers have to let go and let the workers do their jobs. At this stage we need to get out of the way, remove any obstacles that may arise and make sure the vision is maintained in the midst of numerous practical changes.
Reminding a group or team of specialists of the vision is important because specialists always look at things from a narrow viewpoint. But when they get the big picture of a project, they understand where the other parts fit in and how they will interact together in the process.
While we can't herd a group of cats, imparting a clear vision common to everybody is the closest thing to it.
Other Peter Drucker Resources:
The Man Who Invented Management
Beyond the Information Revolution
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