{"id":5379,"date":"2025-04-21T11:49:26","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T15:49:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-alexis.monville.com\/en\/?p=5379"},"modified":"2025-07-21T11:50:00","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T15:50:00","slug":"the-one-exercise-every-leader-should-do-right-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog-alexis.monville.com\/en\/2025\/04\/21\/the-one-exercise-every-leader-should-do-right-now\/","title":{"rendered":"The One Exercise Every Leader Should Do Right Now"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This month, I\u2019d like to invite you into a practice that consistently helps leaders and teams clarify their direction, energize their actions, and align around what truly matters: Personal Visioning<\/strong>, inspired by the extraordinary approach developed at Zingerman\u2019s<\/strong>. I was lucky enough to learn about the approach during a ZingTrain session organized by the OpenStack community in Ann Arbor, and I can attest that it is fantastic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Zingerman\u2019s, the personal visioning practice starts with a simple yet powerful question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat does success look like for you, at a specific point in the future?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, before diving into visioning, Ari Weinzweig<\/strong>, co-founder of Zingerman\u2019s, recommends a crucial preparatory step:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, make a list of things you\u2019re proud of.<\/strong>\u200b
This preliminary practice helps shift your mindset toward positivity and possibility. Celebrating your achievements\u2014big or small\u2014energizes you and prepares you to envision a meaningful and inspiring future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, vividly describe what success looks and feels like for you 3, 5, or 10 years from now. Write in the present tense<\/strong>, as though it\u2019s already happening. The richer and more specific your description, the more powerful and actionable your vision will become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Personal Visioning Matters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When leadership is reactive\u2014driven solely by external pressures\u2014it can feel draining and aimless. A personal vision provides a compass for decision-making and growth<\/strong>, enabling leaders to move intentionally toward meaningful goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When each team member has clarity on their personal vision, it empowers more purposeful collaboration and drives collective success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to Try It Yourself? Follow These Steps:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Write your pride list:<\/strong>\u00a0Note down achievements, strengths, and moments of joy that you\u2019re proud of.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Pick your timeframe:<\/strong>\u00a0Choose a specific future date\u20143, 5, or even 10 years ahead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Write vividly in the present tense:<\/strong>\u00a0Describe where you are, what you\u2019re doing, who\u2019s around you, how you feel, and why this matters deeply to you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Include personal and professional details:<\/strong>\u00a0Let your vision reflect your whole self.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Share your vision:<\/strong>\u00a0Sharing can create connection and accountability, making your vision even more likely to become reality.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    If you want to explore further, Ari\u2019s book Zingerman\u2019s Guide to Good Leading, Part 1: A Lapsed Anarchist\u2019s Approach to Building a Great Business<\/em> offers in-depth guidance, engaging stories, and practical tips on personal visioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What could become possible if you clearly defined your personal vision?<\/strong> How might that clarity influence your leadership right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let\u2019s continue the conversation\u2014reply to this email and share a highlight from your pride list or a piece of your vision. I\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    This month, I\u2019d like to invite you into a practice that consistently helps leaders and teams clarify their direction, energize their actions, and align around what truly matters: Personal Visioning, inspired by the extraordinary approach developed at Zingerman\u2019s. I was lucky enough to learn about the approach during a ZingTrain session organized by the OpenStack community in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5380,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog-alexis.monville.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/adrian-swancar-DLVIHY1ACvE-unsplash.jpg?fit=640%2C480&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paNjQG-1oL","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":445,"url":"https:\/\/blog-alexis.monville.com\/en\/2023\/10\/24\/introducing-objectives-and-key-results-okrs\/","url_meta":{"origin":5379,"position":0},"title":"Introducing: Objectives and Key Results (OKRs)","author":"Alexis","date":"October 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"\ud83d\udc4b Hello Software Engineers, Team Leaders, and Visionaries! 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Recently, while discussing Pearlside's value proposition, I encountered a thought-provoking question regarding our milestones for growth at different scales - 50, 500, and 5,000 people. 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