The Work of Leaders

1. Leadership is about Vision, Alignment, and Execution (VAE)

The Work of Leaders is a one-to-many relationship, as opposed to the one-to-one relationship of management.

Vision is the foundation of leadership. It involves imagining an improved future state that the group will make a reality through its work. Alignment is the process of getting everyone in the group to understand and commit to the direction. Execution ensures that the conditions are present for the imagined future to be turned into a reality.

The VAE model provides a straightforward framework to guide the leadership process:

• Vision: Exploration, Boldness, Testing Assumptions
• Alignment: Clarity, Dialogue, Inspiration
• Execution: Momentum, Structure, Feedback

This model is applicable at all levels of leadership, from front-line supervisors to CEOs, and can be used to develop leadership skills in various organizational contexts.

2. Crafting a vision requires exploration, boldness, and testing assumptions

If you've ever fallen in love with an idea? If you have, you can probably remember the feeling. Eureka!

Exploration involves remaining open to new possibilities and prioritizing the big picture. Leaders should set aside time for open-ended thinking and resist the urge to run with the first acceptable idea. Boldness means being adventurous and speaking out about innovative ideas. Leaders need to challenge themselves and their teams to stretch boundaries. Testing assumptions involves seeking counsel from trusted advisors and exploring the implications of the vision.

Strategies for effective vision crafting:

• Set aside specific time for open-ended exploration
• Make a list of pros and cons, focusing on the benefits
• Gain confidence by proposing ideas to trusted colleagues first
• Conduct a project "PreMortem" to anticipate potential issues
• Use marketing research and prototypes to test ideas

3. Building alignment involves clarity, dialogue, and inspiration

Building alignment is the act of gaining buy-in for your vision and it's absolutely critical in moving from imagination to reality.

Clarity means explaining the rationale behind decisions and structuring messages effectively. Leaders should be transparent and consider the listeners' perspective. Dialogue involves exchanging perspectives and being receptive to input from others. This creates a two-way conversation that builds engagement and shared ownership. Inspiration means being expressive about the vision and encouraging others to commit emotionally.

Key strategies for building alignment:

• Create talking points that balance the big picture and details
• Have one-on-one conversations to encourage open dialogue
• Practice reflective listening to ensure understanding
• Choose specific talking points that speak to people's hearts
• Give people a common aspiration and rallying cry

4. Championing execution demands momentum, structure, and feedback

Vision without execution is hallucination.

Momentum involves being driven and initiating action. Leaders should set high expectations and model the desired behavior. Structure means providing a plan and analyzing in-depth. This involves creating robust, focused plans and thinking critically about potential outcomes. Feedback involves addressing problems promptly and offering praise for good work. Leaders should create a culture of candor and trust.

Effective execution strategies:

• Commit to deadlines related to external events
• Involve team members in the planning process
• Allow time for planning and appropriate analysis
• Create a culture of candor by acknowledging your own mistakes
• Make a conscious effort to prioritize acknowledging contributions

5. Effective leaders remain open to new possibilities and prioritize the big picture

Most of us wouldn't guess it, but there's actually an important difference between discussion and dialogue.

Remaining open means resisting the urge to settle on the first acceptable idea and allowing time for ideas to percolate. Leaders should give themselves permission to explore without immediate tangible outcomes. Prioritizing the big picture involves understanding the context of the organization and its place in the broader industry or market.

Strategies for maintaining an open, big-picture perspective:

• Create a "parking lot" for details to deal with later
• Ask critical questions that help define the big picture
• Look outside your group or organization to understand context
• Use tools like Lencioni's "Six Critical Questions" to clarify the big picture
• Engage in regular conversations about industry trends and market changes

6. Successful alignment requires both rational understanding and emotional commitment

When both rational and emotional needs are met, when leaders reach the head and heart, true alignment goes beyond enthusiasm, beyond agreement, beyond understanding goals.

Rational alignment involves clearly explaining the logic and benefits of the vision. Leaders need to provide enough detail for people to understand how the vision will be achieved. Emotional alignment means connecting with people's hearts and inspiring them to feel passionate about the vision. This involves expressing genuine enthusiasm and encouraging others to see the vision's potential impact.

Key elements of successful alignment:

• Provide clear, structured messages about the vision and its rationale
• Create opportunities for open dialogue and address concerns
• Share personal passion for the vision and its potential impact
• Acknowledge and validate people's emotional responses to change
• Consistently reinforce the vision through various communication channels

7. Leaders must actively champion execution, not just delegate it

Championing execution is as much about establishing and defining your credibility as an effective leader as it is about helping the organization or team achieve the vision.

Active championing means staying involved throughout the execution process, not just delegating tasks. Leaders need to provide ongoing support, remove obstacles, and maintain focus on the vision. This involvement demonstrates commitment and helps maintain momentum.

Ways leaders can champion execution:

• Regularly check in on progress and offer support
• Advocate for necessary resources
• Celebrate milestones and successes along the way
• Address problems promptly and collaboratively
• Maintain a sense of urgency and enthusiasm for the vision

8. Feedback is crucial: address problems and offer praise

Delivering feedback does not appear to be the norm, and it's a discipline that many leaders at all levels seem to regard as discretionary.

Addressing problems involves creating a culture where issues can be discussed openly and constructively. Leaders should focus on solving problems rather than assigning blame. Offering praise means regularly acknowledging contributions and expressing genuine appreciation for good work.

Effective feedback strategies:

• Have regular, semi-formal dialogues about what isn't working
• Focus on problems, not people, when addressing issues
• Keep up-to-date on progress and contributions
• Be specific when offering praise, explaining the impact of good work
• Create a culture that values both problem-solving and recognition

9. Leadership happens at all levels of an organization

Because leadership happens at all levels, building alignment also has to happen at all levels.

Leadership is not limited to those with formal titles or high-level positions. Everyone in an organization can contribute to crafting vision, building alignment, and championing execution within their sphere of influence.

Examples of leadership at different levels:

• Front-line supervisors aligning their team's goals with department objectives
• Middle managers translating company strategy into actionable plans
• Individual contributors initiating process improvements
• Cross-functional team leaders building alignment across departments
• Executives crafting organization-wide vision and strategy

10. The VAE model applies to various leadership contexts and can transform organizational culture

When the principles of VAE take hold, there's a sense of community and working together toward a common goal.

The VAE model is flexible and can be applied in various settings, from small teams to large corporations, non-profits, and government agencies. By consistently applying the principles of Vision, Alignment, and Execution, leaders can create a culture of shared purpose, open communication, and effective action.

Benefits of implementing the VAE model:

• Improved clarity of organizational goals and strategy
• Increased employee engagement and commitment
• More effective cross-functional collaboration
• Better problem-solving and innovation
• Stronger sense of community and shared purpose
• Enhanced ability to adapt to changing market conditions

Last updated: April 20, 2025