Facilitated another interactive and thought-provoking session, VisioningHR New Mindset & TeamCollaboration for an energized second batch of HR practitioners from TNB & ILSAS.

We are familiar with vision-mission statements emblazoned on that one wall which everyone should notice, right?  Yet, we have seen how often these are bypassed or forgotten. In the case of digital versions, this could be that long-buried soft-copy in some lesser accessed folder.

Organizations may steer away from the conventional vision-mission path towards a snazzier approach comprising ambition statements, true north, strategic intent, strategic narratives, purpose statements, sustainable goals, and such. It does not matter. Technically, the shift has been towards old wine in a new bottle, and of course with some differences.

What’s key is that the essence of vision-mission remains entrenched within each concept. The company’s raison d’être or its fundamental purpose, is understood just as well through its vision-mission, as through any of the zestier concepts adopted.

In this 2-day program, participants were made aware that visioning here refers to the process of envisioning and defining a future state for the HR function. It was stressed that the future state should align with the organization’s goals, values, and the dynamic needs of its workforce.

They were encouraged to actively share their perspectives and to understand how critical these are in shaping the vision. The discussion also brought out how points of tension could arise in visioning exercises. Participants were encouraged to discuss strategies to find common ground and areas of alignment as an approach to dissipate tension.