Symptom Checker

Not prescriptive but diagnostic.

Author

Laura Green
February 13, 2025

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I often explain that my “More Impact. Less Friction” framework (the one I use in my Clarity Workshops) is not intended to be prescriptive; but it is diagnostic. We’re not looking for a blanket solution but we do want to efficiently pinpoint the root of tensions in a growing organization. As with anything, I’ve noticed how helpful a list of symptoms can be in helping us land on the correct diagnosis. And to that end, over the next 3 weeks, I’m bringing you a good ole fashioned symptom checker in hopes that this makes space for placing symptoms that may come up in your own work. This week, diagnosis 1 of 3:

Diagnosis: Missing or disconnected vision

Overview: 

I don’t really end up with clients who aren’t compelled by a specific, meaningful vision. Zero shade to those folks - they just aren’t my people. What I do see often is folks who have a vision that theoretically drives their business that, in practice, is either (1) unspecific, (2) inauthentic, or (3) disconnected from the rest of their work.

Often, these leaders have strategies in place - that is, they have a plan to grow. But disconnected from the vision, the plan doesn’t take them in the right direction or towards the right thing.

These organizations often have good systems. They’re productive and efficient, can keep up with tasks & delegating, and have established workflows.

Causes:

An unspecific vision is usually aligned but ambiguous. This is often caused by founders who are afraid that more specifically naming their authentic is going to turn people off or cost them work.

I also see this happen when a founder has tried to craft a vision that sounds strategic instead of using strategy to fulfill the vision.

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Symptoms:

In the case of missing or disconnected vision, you may see some or all of the following symptoms:

  • Your work keeps you busy but not enough of it makes you come alive.

  • Your work makes money but you still don’t love it.

  • Despite a history or projection of growth, the organization still feels aimless.

  • The path to growth feels clear but the endpoint doesn’t feel compelling.

  • You’re meeting strategic or growth benchmarks but “success” feels confusing instead of gratifying.

  • Achieving a goal makes you want to take a break instead of energizing you to do more.

  • These might make you consider selling your business and/or getting another job or side hustle.

If that sounds like you, then (in my Doc McStuffins voice) we have a diagnosis!

Your vision isn’t connected closely & clearly enough to your strategies and systems.

Treatment:

Your vision matters too much to continue this way! Go get it! Be real about it. Really honest and authentic. And then be strategic about how to get there.

Remember this: You’re rarely going to coincidentally do better than you planned for. If we craft a strategy to get you to the “meh” version of this business, you’re not usually going to accidentally get closer to your dream than that. While we’re taking the time to make some strategies & checkpoints, let’s go ahead and plot course to where you actually hope to end up. Cool? Cool.

How to put this to work:

  1. Look at the vision you have and imagine you’ve done it. Really picture it. Does it feel energetic and fulfilling? All of it? Some of it? None of it?

    If you’re really wanting to build the business you feel thrilled about, you’re going to have to cut out the stuff that you’re not thrilled about. You get to pick! You’re the boss!

  2. What are you missing?

    Now. We took out all the stuff that you aren’t stoked about. What are you missing? Do you have your eyes on something else that you haven’t accounted for yet?

  3. Imagine you’re accepting an award…

    Imagine you’re accepting an award for achieving your wildest business dreams. What would they say about you & your work as the presented the award? What would you say about your own work and journey when you accepted it? What would be the most proud of? Are those things in your vision? Have you accounted for them in your vision? If not, you know what to do!

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I’m Laura Green - a strategist empowering creative leaders to build businesses they love. My work focuses on crafting actionable insights, scalable strategies, and proven systems to find more impact and less friction. I want you to have the clarity, confidence, and energy to make good stuff happen, to drive profit, and to get back to doing the work you love. As for me - I love charts, good beer, nerdy nature books, and sneakers. When I’m not spinning up spreadsheets, you can find me gardening, hanging with my wonderfully wild kids, or sneaking in a nap. ✌️

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