The following contains excerpts from the book Full Steam Ahead (Ken Blanchard, Jesse Lyn Stoner).
We believe that music is more than sound, it is relationships, and if you’re looking for music jobs or employment in Odessa, Texas, we offer rewarding relationships centered around helping students develop both in life and in music.
Relationships matter, when dealing with the subject of Leadership.
“We have observed that the biggest impediment to managers becoming great leaders is the lack of a clear vision – knowing who you are (your purpose), where you’re going (your picture of the future), and what will guide your journey (your values)…vision is the starting point of all leadership…Creating a vision statement is not just a one-time activity…a life-long journey.”
Ken Blanchard has written a number of good books, one of his most famous being the ‘One-Minute Manager.’ This is another good one, dealing with how to cultivate a successful vision and corresponding vision statement, both personally and professionally.
“Full steam ahead…means being so clear about your purpose, so committed to it, and so sure about your ability to accomplish it that you move ahead decisively despite any obstacles…Because people shared the same vision, they trusted and respected each other. There was room for creativity when it came to solving problems. People could make their contributions in their own way, and differences were respected because everyone knew they were in the same boat together, all part of a larger whole…The steam engine was without doubt one of the most influential inventions in the development of industry and civilization…One steam engine could do the work of hundreds of horses. It could supply all the power needed to run the machines in a factory…Equating the power of vision with the power of the steam engine makes sense.”
If you’re looking for music jobs or employment in Odessa, Texas that offer this kind of vision, we offer a rewarding experience.
“Purpose is an important part of vision…understanding what we are here for, why we exist. Purpose means understanding what business we are really in so that we all can focus our efforts in support of that purpose…a good purpose statement needed to explain ‘why,’ and it needed to ‘serve a greater good.’”
When you have a purpose to serve people in music jobs and employment in Odessa, Texas and the Permian Basin, you become empowered to serve people in meaningful ways.
Purpose:
- Is your organization’s reason for existence
- It answers the question ‘why?’ rather than just explaining what you do
- It clarifies – from your customers’ viewpoint – what business you are really in
- Great organizations have a deep and noble sense of purpose – a significant purpose – that inspires excitement and commitment
- The words themselves are not as important as their meaning to the people
“A clear vision has to talk about going somewhere…athletes visualized their performance during the competition…The power of a picture works when you focus on what you want to create, not what you want to get rid of…The power of a picture works when you focus on the end result, not the process to achieve it.”
Picture of the future:
- A picture of the end result, something you can actually see, not vague
- Focus on what you want to create, not what you want to get rid of
- Focus on the end result, not the process for getting there
If you connect with our music jobs and employment in Odessa, Texas and the Permian Basin, you will quickly learn how to have a picture of the success of our students, valuing each one of them.
“Values are deeply held beliefs that certain qualities are desirable. They define what is right or fundamentally important to each of us. They provide guidelines for our choices and actions. If purpose is important because it explains ‘why,’ and a picture of the future is important because it indicated, ‘where,’ then values are important because they explain ‘how.’ They answer the question ‘How will you behave on a day-by-day basis as you fulfill your purpose and move toward your picture of the future? Purpose tells why. Picture of the future tells where. Values tell how. Values provided the energy and excitement that help people remain committed when the going gets tough…Ensuring emotional commitment is one reason clearly stated values are so important.”
Values:
- Values provide broad guidelines on how you should proceed as you pursue your purpose and picture of the future
- They answer the questions ‘What do I want to live by?’ and ‘How?’
- They need to be few in number and rank ordered in importance
- They need to be clearly described so you know exactly the behaviors that demonstrate that the value is being lived
- They need to be consistently acted on, or they are only ‘good intentions.’
- People’s personal values need to be in line with the values of the organization
When getting involved in music jobs and employment at our music school in Odessa, Texas and the Permian Basin, you connect with our values in a way that becomes meaningful.
“The three key elements of a compelling vision: Significant Purpose, A Picture of the Future, Clear Values. A vision is enduring. It continues to provide guidance as goals are achieved. One way to tell the difference between a goal and a vision is to ask, ‘What’s next?’ A vision offers clear direction for future activity and guides the setting of new goals once the current ones have been achieved. Without a vision, once the goal has been achieved, it’s all over…Vision is knowing where you are, where you are going, and what will guide your journey. Knowing ‘who you are’ means being clear about your purpose. ‘Where you are going’ is the picture of the future. And ‘what will guide your journey’ is your values.”
Test of a compelling vision:
- Helps us understand what business we’re really in
- Provides a picture of the desired future that we can actually see
- Provides guidelines that help us make daily decisions
- Is enduring
- Is about being ‘great’ – not solely about beating the competition
- Is inspiring – not expressed solely in numbers
- Touches the hearts and spirits of everyone
- Helps each person see how he or she can contribute
When connecting with our music school to find music jobs and employment in Odessa, Texas and the Permian Basin, you will find inspiration that gives you an enduring sense of satisfaction. Serving others through teaching and developing them in their abilities brings a reward that is enduring.
“You can’t get to the future without being present…Vision without being present is like having your head in the clouds. Holding the present without vision is like being stuck in the mud…Learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present…If you are clear about your vision, and if you are honest about your present realities, you don’t have to figure everything out. Things start happening of their own accord.”
“A technique that might help you identify your values is called the Three Whys. Identify what you think is a value and ask yourself, ‘Why do I value that?’ Or ‘If I had that, then what would I have?’ Whatever the answer is, ask the question again. Do it three times. It will take you deeper to what’s most important to you. And as you go deeper, you will feel a stronger sense of caring. The more deeply you care, it means you’re closer to your core values.”
The three hows for making your vision a reality:
- How it’s created – the process of creating the vision is as important as what the vision says
- How it’s communicated – visioning is an ongoing process; you need to keep talking about it
- How it’s lived – we cannot achieve our vision unless we help ourselves and each other act on our good intentions by setting up processes and systems that are aligned with the vision and help us stay on track…supporting structures.
Steps to making your vision a reality:
- Create a vision that illuminates purpose, a picture of the future, and values
- Honestly assess your current situation, and be willing to live with the creative tension
- Create supporting structures that are aligned with the vision
- Set goals and action plans
“When you’re sailing on a lake, you keep your eye on your destination, but you don’t point the boat directly at it. You want to catch the best wind to increase your speed. So you get to your destination by tacking – making a series of turns as you head toward your destination. You need to prepare for sudden shifts in the wind and be ready to change direction quickly, or your boat can tip. If you think of the destination as your vision, then tacking is when you set new goals.”
“What are you going to do when you find you’re off course? If you can stay focused on your vision, you can reset your course. You might not be exactly on course, but you can stay the course.” Staying the course:
- Keep the vision in mind whenever setting goals or doing strategic planning
- Stay focused on the vision; change is inevitable
- Be prepared to reset goals if you find you are off course
- Take action. Once you have identified your vision, it is important to act consistently with it. It might be necessary to make small steps as you put plans and structures in place, but it’s not possible to have it all planned out before you begin
- Remember the Three Hows. Involve others, keep communications open, and demonstrate your commitment through your actions
- Visioning is an ongoing process, not a onetime activity
“From success to significance: The vision must benefit everyone it touches.”
“There are two equally important aspects in creating a compelling vision; content and process. Content describes what the vision says. The three key elements that comprise a vision are purpose, picture of the future, and values. Process describes how to create, communicate, and live a vision…In reality, creating a vision is not a linear process. As you clarify each of the elements of your vision, it is important to keep in mind the guiding principles of the Three Hows. Equally important to what your vision says is how it’s lived.