The Role of Values and Mental Imagery in Vision Statements

Vision statements are one powerful tool in visionary leadership that have to be communicated regularly in order to create purpose for employees. In the past decades, it was underestimated to achieve a greater understanding for a collective sense of purpose that is equally understood by many employees to increase organizational performance and especially coordination of work. To examine the role of values and mental imagery within vision statements, the concepts are more closely elaborated to develop more certainty in creating the right vision. Additionally, an archival study from the medical sector is portrayed which included vision statements and other performance relevant data of 151 hospitals in the US. The researchers found evidence for a strong interaction and imagery effect when four or fewer values were used within vision statements. The interaction resulted in a higher performance and work coordination of the organization and therefore functions as evidence for a shared sense of purpose. Besides, many leaders rather provide conceptual visions and communicate several values that distort the effect of vision imagery and decrease a collective sense of purpose