“That guy is full of vim and vigor!”

That’s really not an expression we use very much nowadays.  What exactly does it mean?

Well, according to dictionary.com, “vim and vigor” means,

“Ebullient vitality and energy…This redundant expression uses both vim and vigor in the sense of ‘energy’ or ‘strength.’”

Does it make sense that we should lead with energy and strength?  Clearly yes.  Do you want to be a weak leader?  I certainly hope not.  Do you want to be a leader without energy and passion?  I suspect no you don’t.

Synonyms for vim and vigor include: animation, bounce, zing, zip, pep, spiritedness, exuberance and liveliness.

All of this screams passion to me.  A leader who is full of vim and vigor is passionate about what they are doing.  They bring strength, vitality, energy and exuberance to their leadership.  All of that is contagious – as is its antithesis.

The people you lead catch what you bring.

Keeping that in mind, I was recently introduced to another understanding of the term “VIM”.  VIM is actually a leadership formula outlining the three key responsibilities of a leader.  Leaders need to facilitate within their team Vision, Intention and Means.

Firstly, leaders need to craft and cast a vision.  This can be a collaborative team effort led by the leader, or it can be something developed by the leader in consultation with the team, or even developed in its initial stages independently by the leader.  Vision is critically important for any organization to thrive and grow.

On the Peace Tower of Canada’s Parliament Building is emblazoned the proverb, “Without a vision the people perish.”  Vision is what keeps us moving forward in the midst of difficulty.  Without vision you don’t know where you are going, what you are aiming for.  Vision is a catalyst, it is fuel to move people forward.

Many leaders are natural visionaries, but many are not.  Regardless of the style of leadership you may bring, vision is always something a leader must facilitate.  Vision must be crafted and cast.  Vision needs to be sticky – if your people aren’t picking it up you have to determine why.  At some stage in the crafting of a vision your team needs to contribute to its formation in order for it to stick.

Secondly, in light of the vision, leaders need to address intention.  What’s the plan?  Leaders need to facilitate the development of a strategic plan.  What are your strategies for accomplishing your vision?  This is your high level plan for moving forward in the vision that was crafted and cast.  Vision is a key component of your strategic plan.

Strategy is an overall broad-based plan to achieve a particular objective, or number of objectives in the marketplace.  It acts as a road map enabling you to drive toward your goals/objectives.  Strategic plans come in myriad forms and formats, but many share similar basic components such as: mission, vision, values, SWOT analysis, goals/objectives, strategies and tactics, and measurement metrics for success, amongst a plethora of other elements.

Thirdly, leaders need address the issue of means – otherwise known as tactics.  Tactics will always be part of your strategic plan.  What exactly are you going to do to execute the plan and accomplish your vision?  This is where the rubber hits the road.

Sadly, oftentimes the terms tactic and strategy are confused: tactics are the actual means used to accomplish an objective, while strategy is the overall plan.  The plan will always involve a wide variety of operational elements which comprise the tactical execution of the plan.  A plan is comprised of multiple tactics.

It’s fairly straightforward isn’t it?  It’s simple, but it’s not easy.  Kind of like losing weight: it’s simple – eat less, move more.  However, it’s not easy, as many of us can bear witness to.

Leaders need to lead with vim and vigor.  Energy, strength and vitality will always be critical components of good leadership.  And, let’s ensure we recognize the importance of leading with VIM: What is your vision?  What’s the plan for accomplishing that?  What are the tactics you will use to implement that plan?

Vision, Intention, Means – VIM.