A shared vision, offers Peter M. Senge in his book, The Fifth Discipline, changes people's relationship with a company (group as well). It is no longer "their company;" it becomes "our company." A shared vision is the first step in allowing people who mistrusted each other to begin to work together. It creates a common identity. In fact, an organization's shared sense of purpose, vision, and operating values establish the most basic level of commonality....

00000Shared visions compel courage so naturally that people don't even realize the extent of their courage. Courage is simply doing whatever is needed in pursuit of the vision. In 1961. John Kennedy articulated a vision that had been emerging for many years among leaders within America's space program: to have a man on the moon by the end of the decade. This led to countless acts of courage and daring.

00000Senge's book reminds us also that a vision with no underlying sense of purpose, no calling, is just a good idea...all "sound and fury, signifying nothing."