Pastor Andy Stanley is famous for saying “Vision is a mental picture of what could be, fueled by a passion that it should be.”
Stanley is a supremely skilled communicator who knows that vision leaks. The energy and passion that surround the beginning of an effort fades. The big picture of the forest gets lost in the tangle of the trees. Even a high-functioning team can lose its way surprisingly fast.
As we work with volunteers and our community, it’s easy to forget that we need to keep refilling the vision bucket, keeping that vision of what could be bright, and fueling the passion of all those working with us.
As a leader, how can you “refill the vision bucket”?
- Make it personal. One of the most effective strategies is to take a few minutes at the beginning of a meeting to have one person or the whole team, answer a question about why they are committed to the goal. Try a question like “Why did you join this team?” or “When did you first decide ours was a cause worth supporting?” or “When do you feel proudest of our church/organization?” These questions will tap into the personal connection your volunteers have to your cause and remind them of the bigger vision. As Stanley says: “If you capture someone’s heart, you will eventually get his hands and feet as well.”
- Tell a story. In the middle of a campaign, it’s easy to get lost in the numbers (dollars raised, pledge cards mailed, gala RSVPs, etc.). That’s when it’s critically important to slow everything down and tell a story. Put a face to your case, reminding everybody of who you’re doing this for and why.
- Be grateful. One of the amazing things about volunteering for a non-profit is the profound feeling that what you’re doing matters to another. The day a volunteer doesn’t feel appreciated or needed is the day they start to wonder if their time, talent or treasure could be better used elsewhere. Say thank you often and share stories of impact whenever you can.
- Solve the puzzle. As a volunteer – or even a non-profit staff person – it can be easy to lose sight of the big picture. It’s not always clear how your role manning water station 2 at the charity 5K will help make anyone’s life better (except perhaps for a thirsty runner or two). Show every volunteer how what they do is a vital piece that helps to make the larger vision reality.
- Repeat often. As Stanley has also been known to say: “Tell them what you’re going to tell them, tell them, then tell them what you told them.” When you think you’ve said it too much, it’s probably just starting to sink in.
What are your favorite ways to keep the inspiration bucket full in your volunteers, staff… or even in yourself?
