There is always a long debate that goes among the stakeholders of the University and Colleges, that what should go first? Is it Vision or Mission? And NBA has mandated that the Vision should go first and followed by Mission. I am not getting involved in the debate on what should come first (As it is irrelevant and Silly discussion), but we should surely define Vision statement which is more relatable, quantifiable and also achievable.
But how to know if your current vision statement is precisely hopeful for your team and also at the same time inspirational and quantifiable.
But lets looks at why the Vision statement is so important for any Campuses.
Many campuses and experts of Accreditation seem to mistakenly believe that a vision statement and a mission statement are interchangeable. They are not.
A mission statement summarises the goals and values of your college or University, whereas a vision statement is a snapshot of your university or College a year or a decade from now; it is an inspiration - targeted more at employees than at students / parents - that will guide your strategic planning. It's not a blueprint or a roadmap to your colleges’ future; it is a dream of a future, but also grounded in the past, based on all the work you do and the successes and failures you endure. To put it succinctly: it's where you want to go, rather than how you will get there.
The following seven points illustrate the importance of a vision statement:
It Aids Decision Making
It Helps Fascinate and Motivate Talent
It Helps to Maintain Focus
It Creates a Legacy
It Helps Define Your Culture
It Instil Strategic Leadership
It Prioritises Your Resources
Can you out a Vision Statement to Test?
But once you have defined the Vision statement how you can put it to test? If the statement is effective or not? Is there anyway you can know if your College’s Vision Statement makes any sense? YES. There is a way. More than a vision statement I like to call it a ‘Just Cause’. I will explain why? “Cause” which is “Just” or “Unbiased” or “Fair” are much more powerful than just a vision statement. Let me try to explain the same with an example. When you have a statement which is like a Cause you attract like-minded people who believe in your Origin which is for larger social impact and is also Fair or Unbiased or Just. Your people then get so involved that you start seeing sacrifices for larger causes For Eg. You reject an admission as the student may not believe in your Cause, You ensure the fees charged are justifiable and fair, Your people will sacrifice family for some days when University needs them, You see passion and enthusiasm running like full steam engine in the campus.
As the famous Author Ms. Simon Sinek has stated in many interviews about effective Vision statement that “There is a way you can put your statement to test. It has three components which shows you have effective Vision Statement which is a “Just Cause”.
1. Resilient
Resilient Vision statement means your Campus and its culture will remain grounded in testing times, and also able to withhold cultural or economic changes. And it can withstand cultural, political and technological changes. You keep your University or College updated with knowledgeable staff, Introduces futuristic courses, Upgrade your Infrastructure etc. Just to say “To be the best Engineering College….” Will not make you so as we know how many colleges have been shut down in past 5 years due to technological and industrial disruptions. Your Vision Statement must be durable and should withstand any test of time.
2. Inclusive
Inclusive means the very words we use is an open invitation to those inside and outside stakeholders who chooses your cause and are ready to sacrifice for the Vision or what you intend to achieve or what you believe. The students and parents will read the statement and will find it inspiring and will look forward to join your campus. The future faculties will look forward to the statement as an open invitation to be part of your campus. The companies who have similar vision will resonate with your vision statement and will look forward to hire students from your campus.
3. Service – Oriented
In any transaction whether it is financial or non-financial there is always a benefactor and contributor. For example, suppose a prospective student visit your campus for a career advice, in this scenario the counsellor of your campus is contributor and the student is benefactor. So, in this case the student should truly be benefited rather than the counsellor or the institution. Rather looking to fill one seat, the counsellor should try to benefit the student and if the student will truly benefit from the course, then counsellor should ensure the student gets the admission in your College or University. So, Service Oriented Vision statement means the primary benefit of the action should go to the benefactor and not the University. Hence, the founder or chairman should take decision which benefits the employees and students and not just the board or the self. Teacher should focus on enriching the class or laboratory experiments so that it benefits the students, not just to complete the syllabus or He/ She can leave home early. University or college can make money, take fees, other charges etc. that is OK. What is important is the benefits of all action should go to the benefactor, that may be student, teacher or society.
If you feel your Vision statement are not able to pass any of the three test above then you really need to rethink to Re-frame of your vision statement. My next article will cover how you can effectively frame a vision statement which is a just cause, and also resilient, inclusive and Service Oriented.