A shared strategic vision: dream or reality?

This paper explores the expressed meanings that 60 middle managers attach to the concept of a shared strategic vision by providing a brief review of the business and management literature and the role of organisational learning. It continues by identifying the meanings and skills that these middle managers from a large international corporation attach to the achievement of a shared vision within a framework of Senge’s skills. A further element uncovered by the research is recorded; how the managers express their concerns regarding the reasons, as they see them, why a shared vision is not a feature of their organisation. A conclusion is reached that these middle managers believe implicitly that a shared strategic vision is desirable. Further that engagement in the activity described in the paper provides an opportunity for the managers to reflect on their organisation within the concept of organisational learning and the skills that are needed to take this concept forward.