| You walk into your local grocery or market, looking | | | | A vision must be real. This story was more real for |
| for apples. You see the displays. They are bursting | | | | you if you buy apples, have a car and most |
| with apples of many varieties. To your left you | | | | importantly if you like apples (especially Red Delicious). |
| notice a sea of yellow and red apples - the sign says | | | | When we make a vision for a project real for people |
| they are Jonathans. To your right you see bright, | | | | - something that they can see happening and seems |
| green Granny Smiths. But straight ahead, you see the | | | | within the scope of the "possible" (even if it is a |
| biggest, reddest Red Delicious apples you have ever | | | | stretch) - we will make the vision much more |
| seen. You are drawn to the display knowing that is | | | | powerful. |
| what you want. As you walk closer you can see that | | | | A vision must be personal. Notice I talked about the |
| the merchant has polished every one. | | | | market you go to and your car. I tried to make the |
| You pick up a bag and start to select a few of the | | | | story as personal to you as I could. And, as you read |
| red marvels. Usually in this process you sort through | | | | it, you likely were embellishing the story yourself. |
| looking for the fruit with no blemishes or soft spots. | | | | Seeing the market you shop in - whether a Farmer's |
| Today, though, each of these beauties is perfect. It | | | | Market, roadside stand or your favorite grocery |
| is as if the merchant has already done the work for | | | | store. We must make the vision of project success |
| you. As you hold each apple in your hand you notice | | | | personal. People need to see how they will be |
| that each one could be used in a picture postcard or | | | | impacted and how the work and its outcomes will |
| an advertisement. | | | | have meaning from them. When we do that, we |
| You smile as you carry your paper bag of apples to | | | | have a created a more motivating vision. |
| the cashier. In your brief, pleasant conversation with | | | | A vision must be desired. Again, if you connected |
| the cashier you mention how great the apples look. | | | | with this story, you probably like big, juicy, red, crisp |
| He smiles and assures you that they taste even | | | | apples. If not, this story isn't very desirable to you |
| better. He mentions he had one on his break and he | | | | and therefore the vision won't be that compelling. If |
| thought it was the best apple he had ever eaten. | | | | you don't like apples (or if you have never eaten an |
| When you get to your car and close the door, | | | | apple) this might not work very well for you. This is |
| suddenly all you can smell are apples! Between the | | | | important. Often the vision is desired by the leader or |
| sight, touch and conversation about the apples you | | | | the people who start the project (they really like |
| were already hungry. But once you get the smell, | | | | apples) but for that vision to be compelling to others, |
| you can wait no longer. Before you even start your | | | | the others must want to achieve that vision as well. |
| car you pick up one of those big red apples and take | | | | A vision can be expressed powerfully in a story. |
| a bite. The taste is incredibly sweet, and it is so firm | | | | Hopefully I've illustrated this for you. And, when we |
| that you hear that satisfying snap when you | | | | can help people create the story (rather than telling it |
| complete the bite and pull the apple from your lips. | | | | to them as I had to do in this situation) the vision |
| So tell me . . . Are you hungry for an apple? | | | | becomes even more powerful. |
| Can you almost taste the imaginary apple in this | | | | Now What? |
| short story? | | | | You have the four keys now, and you have a story |
| If you can, there is a reason: Our minds can't tell the | | | | to help you put the keys together. Now it is time to |
| difference between something real and something | | | | create a vision for your project. Maybe the project is |
| vividly imagined. If this story created a vivid mental | | | | halfway done or maybe it starts next week. |
| image for you, you are likely wondering where you | | | | Regardless the stage in your project's lifecycle, you |
| can find an apple. | | | | can use these keys to your advantage for the |
| And in this story of the apple lies the keys to | | | | ultimate success of your project and its team |
| creating a powerful vision for a project team (or any | | | | members. |
| team for that matter). | | | | Now, go get your apple. |
| The Keys | | | | |