Moonshot = Big Vision + Tiny Details + Hard Work

Misunderstanding 'Moonshots'

It's important that a business owner has a big vision, it's not quite essential for survival, but it is close. Having a big vision strengthens the businesses mission, or its 'why', it strengthens values and business culture. It also boosts staff morale and helps the business stand out, making it more attractive to customers.

But on it's own it's not enough...

A big vision is not enough

Just having an idea doesn't change anything, it's just an idea. Which is why a big vision is sadly not essential for survival (in the short to medium term). Many businesses operate within a zombie like business as usual framework, this can continue for a surprising amount of time.

So its great that you have a big vision, however, if you only have a big vision, I'm afraid your team are quietly rolling their eyes every time its mentioned. Then just getting on with business as usual when you walk away.

So you take it a step further and you emphasise the importance of the vision, seeking to inspire them to take on your own excitement... However, I'm afraid the eye rolling just becomes more entrenched.

Tiny details & hard work

Details matter, its how that big vision 'moonshot' becomes a reality. Those details then require hard work, and lots of it.

Your team understand this. They are the ones executing hundreds of small details every day.

When I used to ask a simple thing like "update the forecast", I knew my team then had to; check progress on all projects, call clients to try and get a firm estimate on upcoming work, call project leaders to understand expected delays and issues, speak to sales about pipeline, speak to accounts about what has been invoiced already, speak to line managers and HR about what annual leave is booked and numerous other considerations...one simple request, becomes many tiny details and hard work for your team. I never took that for granted.

How much more would a 'moonshot' request require?

If your team see you ignoring the small details and hard work, talking only about your big dream, they know its destined to fail and so they won't engage.

Big vision + tiny details + hard work = moon

To get your team to buy in, you need to think beyond the big vision. Then they will see not just the good idea, but the outline of a route and your commitment to getting there.

How will it happen? What do we need to do to get there? Who do I need to bring in as a team to implement it? How long is realistic? Is there currently enough resource (time/people) to get it done? What else might be impacted? Who do I include in the planning? What will it cost?

John F Kennedy announced his big vision to land a man on the moon on the 25th May 1961. On the 20th July 1969 (8 years later) Neil Armstrong fulfilled the vision.

In those 8 years, the Apollo program employed up to 400,000 people and cost about $25bn (or $194bn adjusted for inflation). 

The big vision is the attractive sound bit we all remember, but America succeeded because they understood the big vision alone was not enough. They focused on the tiny details and resourced the hard work. 

Ok, you're on the moon, now what?

Often forgotten is the "ok what now" stage. 

It's great to have a big vision moonshot but you also need to know why you are doing it? What does the day after touch down look like? What about the months and years after that?

If it looks like you are going to get to the moon, make sure you have a plan for what happens next.

A big vision can energise your business (and it doesn't need to be as audacious as a moon landing!), but make sure you understand the details and work needed to get there. Involve experts, team members and the whole company in its execution, then finally, understand how to celebrate, enjoy and benefit from the extraordinary achievement. Time to start planning your moonshot.

Thank you for reading. To read other blog posts click here: pivotaluk.co.uk/my-blog 

For a free consultation (business mentoring, advice or consultancy), please contact me at chansen@pivotaluk.co.uk

I have been lucky enough to successfully buy, grow, mature, sell and exit my own business. I now use this experience to help other business owners on their journey.

Business Mentor/Coach/Consultant -- Growth -- Succession & Sale -- Health Check