Vision vs. Reality: The North Star Doesn't Move, But You Do
Updated: Feb 3
Consider this question: Who are you when you remove the job title and company name from your professional identity?
This question recently emerged during a coaching engagement with a senior leader navigating organizational change.
She had been leading a transformation effort for months, balancing multiple responsibilities: coach, program lead, and crisis manager. As organizational dynamics shifted (team structures, leadership, and strategic priorities), she found herself without clear direction.
When I asked her, "What do you value?" she paused. While she had articulated goals, they were entirely anchored to her current role, team, and organization.
We reframed the question:
What are your values based on who you are: your lived experience, your capabilities, your leadership approach, and how you respond to challenges? Values that transcend any specific role or organizational context.
This reframing proved transformative.
She began reconnecting with her vision: not an idealized job description, but a guiding direction. Her North Star.
This concept crystallized for me through a recent personal experience.
I experimented with an AI design tool, uploading an image of an old piece of furniture to explore how it could be repurposed more functionally for my space.
The result? A sleek, beautiful design. Visually perfect. It was easy to get excited.
But then I looked at it again, not from the lens of vision, but from the lens of reality.
Would I realistically invest the effort required (sourcing materials, reshaping components, and redesigning the layout)?
The honest answer was no, not given current priorities and constraints.
The vision wasn't flawed; it remained creative and compelling. However, the optimal decision was to implement a simpler solution aligned with my immediate needs. As circumstances evolve, I can revisit more ambitious approaches that advance toward that vision.
These experiences illuminate a fundamental leadership principle:
Your vision gives you direction.
Your reality gives you clarity.
We don't need perfection, but we do need alignment between our vision and our reality.
Application Exercise: Your "Unattached Vision" Reflection
Identify three core values you hold regardless of your current position or organization.
(E.g., Curiosity, Trust-building, Practicality)
Identify two skills that energize you in practice: not merely capabilities, but competencies you’re intrinsically motivated to apply.
Now ask: What's one small step this week that aligns with those values and skills?
If you discover that previous goals or roles no longer serve your direction, it's appropriate to let them go. This isn't starting over; it's creating space for what aligns with your evolving vision.
If this resonates with you, consider sharing it with a colleague navigating similar transitions.
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