• See It to Build It: Connecting Goals to a Bigger Vision

    by Michelle Cummings

    Setting goals is something most leaders do. But setting goals that actually move people? That requires more than a checklist. It takes vision. Not just any vision – but one that is clear, motivating, and tied to something meaningful. When leaders link daily action to a larger purpose, teams don’t just comply – they commit.

    A clear vision of success is more than a broad aspiration. It’s specific, measurable, and aligned. It helps you define what progress looks like and gives your team direction beyond the next task. Vision is what makes effort feel worthwhile and helps everyone see how their part contributes to something that matters.

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  • Vision First: Seeing Success Before You Build It

    by Michelle Cummings

    Success doesn’t start with action. It starts with vision. Leaders who can clearly see what success looks like—before it happens—create the focus and energy needed to make it real. That vision becomes the north star that guides decisions, inspires the team, and shapes culture from the inside out.

    Too often, leaders get caught in the day-to-day swirl of tasks, meetings, and deadlines. They solve what’s urgent instead of pursuing what matters most. Without a clear vision, even strong performers can lose direction. It’s like rowing hard in a fog—motion without meaning. When leaders take time to define success, they bring clarity to the chaos.

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  • Spot the Drain Early: A Leadership Tool for Unsticking Teams

    By Michelle Cummings

    One of the biggest challenges leaders face is knowing how to move a team forward when momentum stalls. In our Eyes of a Leader module, we help leaders develop a clear, compelling vision—and just as importantly, identify what might be pulling their team off course. This is where the Drain Model, developed by Dr. Carl Larson and Frank LaFasto, becomes such a powerful leadership tool. Based on over a decade of research with thousands of teams, their model doesn’t just explain what slows teams down—it reveals why.

    At the heart of the Drain Model is this idea of energy and focus. Larson and LaFasto describe three types of energy that a team needs to reach its goals: Mental, Physical, and Spiritual. Mental energy is your team’s collective knowledge and problem-solving ability. Physical energy is the stamina to do the work. But spiritual energy? That’s the one we overlook most often. It’s the emotional drive, the passion, and the shared commitment that keeps people connected to the goal—and to each other.

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