You’ve got a clear vision. You’ve shared it in town halls, written it in slide decks, and repeated it in strategy memos. And yet, your team still isn’t moving.

They agree with the direction. They nod in meetings. But when it comes to initiative, momentum, or ownership…

Nothing.

That’s because clarity alone doesn’t drive commitment.

The real issue? Your team can’t see themselves in your vision.

The Invisible Role Problem

I once worked with a product team in a Nordic SaaS company. The founder was visionary, passionate, and eloquent. His team admired him.

But they weren’t aligned.

After hearing the company vision for the fifth time, one team lead said something I’ll never forget:

“It sounds exciting. I just don’t know what I’m supposed to do with it.”

That’s the invisible role problem. The leader sees the whole picture. But the team doesn’t know where they fit in.

When Vision Becomes a Poster, Not a Playbook

In the Nordics, we lead with collaboration. We flatten hierarchies. We respect autonomy.

But when it comes to vision, this can backfire.

Leaders don’t want to be too directive. So they cast the big picture—but fail to assign meaning. The vision becomes a poster on the wall, not a playbook for action.

People need to know:

• What does this mean for me?
• How does my work move us forward?
• Where am I expected to lead?

Without those links, people nod. But they don’t act.

Three Ways to Make Your Vision Actionable

1. Anchor the Vision to Roles Map the strategy directly to functions and individuals. Not just “we want to grow in X market,” but “Marketing will lead on ABC, Product on DEF.”

When people know what’s expected of them, they engage.

2. Make the Vision Conversational Talk about it outside of big meetings. Use 1:1s and team huddles to ask:

• What part of the vision excites you?
• What feels unclear?
• What’s one step you could take toward this?

This personalizes the vision. It shifts it from “ours” to “mine.”

3. Co-Create the Path Forward Ask people how they want to contribute. Involve them in shaping the roadmap.

Autonomy doesn’t mean you stay silent. It means you invite participation.

Bottom Line: Inclusion Drives Initiative

When people can see themselves in the vision, they step up. They bring ideas. They take risks. They lead.

If your team isn’t owning the future, you may not need a new vision. You may just need to include them in it.

Want to learn how? Join me on April 15 for a free, live session: The Vision Gap: Why Your Team Can’t See What You See (And How to Fix It)

We’ll explore practical ways to connect vision to action and unlock true team alignment.

Let’s close the gap together.

Florin

Save your seat today 👇

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/xTJuwUoaSCKiIKqIEv9kNQ