The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl a few weeks back.
After their big win, I saw a video clip from two years back. This moment in time is where it really started. But what’s getting just as much attention as the win is a clip from two years ago—right when it really started.
In his very first team meeting, brand-new head coach Mike Macdonald stood in front of his players and said, “Here’s where we’re going. We’re going to beat this team in the NFC Championship. We’re going to the Super Bowl. And we’re going to win it.”
He didn’t just toss out a motivational line—he painted the picture in detail. Down to the weather on game day.
That’s what I love most about the story. He cast the vision day one.
And it’s a great reminder for every business owner. This is exactly where clarity starts.
You have to know where you’re going. You need a north star that’s so clear, your team can see their role in making it happen.
In my Structure to Scale framework, this is Step 1—Build Your Foundation. Before we dive into systems, roles, or strategy, we start with vision. Because without it, everything else feels scattered.
When your vision is clear, everything gets easier.
- You know what standard you need to hold every day.
- You know what to say yes and no to.
- And your team can rally around something bigger than their individual job.
It took Seattle two years to bring their vision to life. But that’s how sustainable success works—rooted in clarity, built through alignment, and achieved over time.
The same is true for your business. Casting a clear vision is what gives meaning to your goals, systems, and daily execution.
A practical way to create your vision statement (3 steps)
- Brainstorm your “why.”
Jot down key words or thoughts about why your company exists and why the work matters. Ask yourself:- Why did I start this company?
- What impact do we want to make?
- What difference have we already made that we’re proud of?
- Write your first draft.
Don’t overthink it—get your ideas down. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Think big. Write what you see for the future of your organization, and let it flow. - Refine and align.
Step away for a few days, then revisit it. Ask:- Is it ambitious enough?
- Does it inspire others to be part of it?
- Does it make sense as a north star for our team?
- Does it align with the culture we want to create?
When you have that level of clarity, decision-making becomes faster, leadership gets stronger, and your team moves in the same direction.
Because just like Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks—you can’t win the Super Bowl of business without first knowing exactly what you’re playing for.
PS-If you’re reading this and thinking, “That’s exactly what’s happening in my business,” then the next step isn’t another planning session. It’s diagnosing your systems.
In a focused paid strategy session, we will:
- Map where your execution pipeline is leaking: structure, roles, processes, or rhythm.
- Identify the 3–5 core systems you need to develop (or fix) to support your next stage of growth.
- Outline a practical, owner-friendly roadmap so your team can see, understand, and actually stick to the plan.
If you want your next plan to work instead of just exist, let’s fix the foundation. Email us at info@germanbusinessconsulting.com.
Stephanie German is a business coach for small businesses focused on strategy and impact who are ready to take action with scalable guidance without the non-sense. She directly works with owners, founders, and leaders through a specific framework to compress time, increase income, and boost productivity. Find out ways to work together here.