Don't Just Say "Colorado". Cast A Compelling Vision.

Last October, my wife (Jen) and I planned a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

As we put our itinerary together, we realized that our travel overlapped with our teens’ fall school break.

So we hatched a plan to fly the kids out and rendezvous with us for a few fun-filled days at the end of our trip.

At dinner, we excitedly asked them, “Wanna come to Colorado with us?!”

With unenthused expressions, they shrugged their shoulders and made non-committal noises.

Definitely not the response we were expecting.

Then it hit me- I’d done a poor job of sharing the compelling vision that was in my head.

So I tried again. 

This time, I painted a fuller picture of the trip my wife and I envisioned:

• The kids flying solo for the first time to and from Denver.

• Day 1 in Colorado Springs touring the U.S. Olympic Museum, seeing Garden of the Gods and taking an e-bike tour of a gorgeous, private estate complete with a castle.

• Day 2 in Denver with the boys attending the Denver Broncos game and the ladies enjoying an art museum.

• Day 3 in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park hiking to waterfalls, driving the mountain highway and looking for elk, bear, moose and bighorn sheep.

• And of course- great food every single day. (We like to eat in our family!)

This invitation got a different reaction.

Eyes lit up. Smiles broaden. Heads nodded. They were in!

THAT was the response we were hoping for.

We ended up having a phenomenal trip.

And I re-learned an important leadership lesson: 

When casting vision, you just can’t say “Colorado”.

You have to paint a compelling picture of what “Colorado” looks and feels like.

Leaders can’t just tell a team WHERE they are headed. They must share WHY we are going in the first place and HOW everyone will benefit when we arrive.

Recently, I told this story to a leadership team. 

The senior leader approached me and shared that he’s been pitching a big numerical goal with his team. And was frustrated that some didn’t seem bought in.

He realized he’s been saying, “We’re going to Colorado!” without helping his team understand why "Colorado" is a destination worth visiting.

How about you? Have you been casting a compelling vision?

What is your “Colorado”? 

Does your team have a clear picture of why that journey is worth taking?