You’ve probably heard this one. There’s a reason the windshield is so big and the rearview mirror is so small – and that’s because knowing where you’re going is much more important than dwelling on where you’ve been.
Don’t get me wrong. Learning from mistakes and successes will always be important. But that’s where its purpose lies – as bits of accumulated knowledge that can be applied to your forward vision. Moving forward, always forward, spells success.
20/20 vision is all about clarity. They say hindsight is 20/20, but how does an individual or an organization keep its forward vision just as clear? Allow me to share our experience at IQ Inc.
Our company works with clients on end-to-end software development projects, from full stack development to systems integration, and from testing to certification support. This work is performed either at
our state-of-the-art development facility or by embedding IQ Inc. consultants onsite to work with a client’s staff.
Twenty-six years ago, IQ Inc. was formed. One woman with a vision. The worlds of business, technology, client expectations, available talent and so much more have changed, shifted, grown, withered and continued to present varied challenges over those years. Throughout it all, the vision of IQ Inc. has remained clear. Central. Foundational. Communicated and made real, enabling IQ to weather changes and continue on a steady path of growth.
Our vision places people skills above technical skills. The belief behind this approach is nothing more, and nothing less, than this – when you cooperate, respect, collaborate, speak honestly and trust each other, the business results will naturally follow.
We know that what a team member knows today in terms of technical systems and applications is not as important as being ready for understanding what may appear tomorrow – and, even beyond that, how well that person can buy into, understand and contribute to where IQ is going as a company may be the most important trait of all.
Titles have never been a foundation or cause of unilateral decision-making. It’s not about titles here, it’s about instilling the idea that every person can lead. That every person has something vital to contribute. That every person matters greatly to the overall success of the organization. And why? Because we all understand, believe in, and work to fulfi ll a shared forward-focused vision.
So, say you’re a young professional trying to fi nd your footing in the workplace, or a new entrepreneur working to establish your business in a tough competitive landscape. What does all this “vision” talk have to do with you? Everything. It can – and should – define you to the world. It keeps you grounded, yet aspirational. It is both your safe harbor and your launch pad to achievement, fulfillment, and growth.
Your vision of where you want to go or who you want to be is the greatest asset you have. Start with the tough questions and be honest. What do you want your life to look like? What do you want your environment to look like at home, at work, in your community? Who are the main people you want in your life, on your team? What types of clients do you want to work with? What people do you want to work with? What does your typical day look like? Do you even want a typical day? What is important – truly important – to you?
"Your vision of where you want to go or who you want to be is the greatest asset you have."
Share your vision with others. If people don’t support you, then respectfully disagree. Live your truth. Be honest and transparent. Your identity narrative should be based on who you want to become and where you want to be going.
With that vision fi rmly in place, go deep. Success is taking 20 steps in one direction, not frantically taking one step in 20 directions. Transformation requires a servant mindset. Give more than you take. Karma is real. Trust that the good you send out into the world will return to you even more powerfully.
Make it easy to connect in small and simple ways to team members, clients, friends and neighbors. Invest time, money and energy on relationships. Be useful, grateful, enjoyable, memorable, supportive and valuable. Be the type of person anyone would always answer the phone for.
Our forward-focused vision at IQ Inc. is bigger than making an impact on lives through technology; it is to make an impact every day on lives – period – through a friendly smile, an encouraging word, and a helping hand. By being truly present to people. We have found that business success will follow.
Do the hard work to define your forward-focused vision, and watch the same level of success beat a path to your door, as well.