Decades ago, I spoke at an event about change and challenged a familiar saying: “People don’t like change.”

I suggested that people change all the time in relation to things they value. We pursue education, move to new communities, start families, and learn unfamiliar skills because something matters enough to make the effort worthwhile.

That doesn’t make change easy. But it does give us a reason to engage.

Today, with the pace of change accelerating, I believe there’s another principle leaders need to consider.

A clear company vision doesn’t automatically create a meaningful personal connection.

I’ve been a strong advocate for establishing and consistently communicating vision throughout my leadership career. I still am.

But without that personal connection, our message can sound something like:

“We’re heading toward an exciting future. Please bring your enthusiasm, flexibility, and a willingness to discover your role somewhere along the way.”

We might understand why that announcement receives slightly less applause than we anticipated.

People may value the organization’s success and still need to see something in that future they can value personally: meaningful work, an opportunity to grow, a useful contribution, or a way to provide for the people who depend on them.

How do I fit?

That question deserves more than an assignment. Being handed a place in the plan doesn’t necessarily mean we can see ourselves flourishing there.

We can ask people to stretch. We also need to understand what makes the stretch worthwhile to them—and give them enough influence and support to participate responsibly.

The PIVOT Point

People are more likely to engage in change when they you can see a meaningful place for themselves in the future—and have enough room to take a responsible next step toward it.

One question

What might someone on your team value about the future you’re asking them to help create?

One next step

Ask them: “As you look at where we’re going, what feels worthwhile to you—and what makes it hard to see yourself in that future?”

Listen before explaining the vision again.