How to create a leadership vision board

What is a vision board?

A vision board is a visual collage that depicts a desired future state. Some individuals use vision boards to illustrate their personal dreams. These dreams can encompass relationships, careers, families, hobbies, and travel. They can depict a concrete event or a more abstract general direction.

For leaders, a vision board can help articulate a desired state for their division, office, or department in the year ahead. It can tie a big-picture vision and tangible goals to teams and individual employees. It can even articulate micro-visions for workplace culture, succession planning, remote work, and DEI, for example.

Vision boards are different from a written strategic plan or list of goals. Their beauty lies in visualizing an intended state and using pictures, along with words, to depict both rational thought and sub-surface emotions. Vision boards are to be displayed in a prominent, visible location so that they continuously remind people of their dreams, keep them focused on achieving their goals, and feed their positive emotions concerning an overall vision.

Why are vision boards effective?

A recent Forbes article highlights the growing use of vision boards among individuals striving to achieve their goals. Vision boards leverage the brain's neuroplasticity—its ability to form new neural connections—making visualization a powerful method for rewiring the mind and fostering success.

According to the article, “vision boards and mental simulations facilitate self-concordant goal-setting, enhancing both commitment and progress toward goals.” The process taps into the brain’s capacity to focus on relevant information while filtering out distractions, enabling individuals to visualize their desired outcomes clearly. This enhanced focus not only drives motivation but also uncovers creative ideas and solutions to challenges.

By engaging the brain’s selective attention and stimulating neural pathways, visualization through vision boards creates a mental blueprint for success, turning aspirations into actionable steps and meaningful results.

How can I create a vision board?

Now that you know what a vision board is and why it works, are you ready to make your own? Here’s a step-by-step process to follow when creating a vision board for your organization in 2025.

People

While you can easily create a vision board on your own, engaging your employees in the process encourages greater buy-in. You could form a vision board taskforce, convening internal stakeholders from various departments for short sessions over several weeks. Or you could dedicate time during a regularly scheduled all-staff meeting for organization-wide vision board creation.

Planning

First, determine what you want to achieve in the coming year. A vision board illustrates an ideal state. Don’t hold back; capture your organization’s biggest dreams for the months ahead. For example, who is your perfect client, what kinds of products and services do you wish to develop, and what is the desired culture you hope to create in 2025? Then, write down smaller, bite-sized goals related to these big-picture ambitions.

Creation

Will you create a digital vision board or a physical vision board? See the tools and templates below for examples of each. Start with images. Find meaningful pictures, graphics, and other visual elements to depict your vision and goals. Then add inspirational words, phrases, and quotes to fill in the gaps. Lastly, add decorative elements through drawing or other artistic expression. Ask people to volunteer for this step; some folks may enjoy the creative process more than others.

Reflection

Once your vision board is complete, choose a digital location where you will store it or a physical location where you will showcase it. Encourage staff to review the vision board at least weekly and use it in ongoing team meetings and check-ins. Draw attention to it throughout the year when you discuss organizational vision and goal achievement. And align individual performance targets and feedback conversations to the vision board, too.

Tools and Templates

There are many resources that can help you create a vision board for your business. We recommend you check out the free tools and templates below.

Vision Board Template & Example - Milanote

Vision Board Template | Editable PPT Template | Download Now (powerslides.com)

Free Product Vision Boards, Templates & Documents | Smartsheet

How can Cynuria help your organization achieve its boldest aspirations in 2025? We deliver high-quality, innovative, and transformative human capital and learning solutions tailored to your needs. Contact us today to discover how we can support your organization in turning its vision into reality this year.