Are you clear on your definition of success?
In What Is Your Definition of Success?, I explored the importance of getting clear on what success means to you and, more importantly, what achieving it makes possible in your life.
Defining success is the foundation. But once you've done that work, there's another important step.
Share your vision with the people who have a stake in your success.
Who Are Your Stakeholders?
Think about the people in your life, personally and professionally, who influence your ability to achieve your goals.
Your family. Your partner. Your colleagues and direct reports. Your supervisor. Your mentor. Your clients. Your friends.
These are your stakeholders. The people whose perspectives, decisions, support, and involvement can influence your journey.
Make a list.
Who has an impact on your success? Who is invested in what you're working toward?
And when was the last time you told them what success actually means to you?
Are You and Your Team Aligned on Success?
One important component of achieving success professionally is not only sharing your vision with your team, but understanding how the people you lead define success for themselves.
When was the last time you asked your direct reports what success looks like to them, personally and professionally?
Do you know what they're working toward?
Are their aspirations aligned with the opportunities and expectations of their roles?
Are You Sharing Your Vision with Your Boss?
Think about your one-on-one conversations and performance reviews.
Have you shared your own vision of success with your supervisor?
Have you talked about what you hope to accomplish, where you want to grow, and what matters most to you?
And have you asked your boss what success looks like from their perspective?
These conversations can reveal where expectations and aspirations align, and where they may not.
Have You Brought Your Inner Circle into Your Goals?
It's easy to overlook the role that people outside of work can play in our professional success.
Your friends, family, and other trusted relationships may have perspectives, experiences, and connections that you haven't considered.
But they can't fully support a vision they don't know about.
Have you shared what you're working toward with the people closest to you?
What Becomes Possible When You Share Your Vision?
Consider whether the people who can influence your success understand what you're trying to achieve. Think about the people you report to, manage, and work alongside. Without their understanding and support, you may encounter obstacles that could otherwise have been avoided.
Are you aligned on shared goals and values? Or are there important differences that haven't been discussed?
Sharing your vision doesn't mean everyone will agree with it. Nor does it mean other people are responsible for making it happen.
It means giving the people around you an opportunity to understand what matters to you, where you're headed, and how they might contribute.
It also gives you an opportunity to better understand what matters to them.
You may discover shared aspirations, opportunities for collaboration, or support you didn't know was available.
You may also uncover misalignment that needs your attention.
Either way, you're working with greater awareness.
Defining success gives you direction. Sharing your vision creates opportunities to move toward it.
Who needs to hear yours?