Successful ambitious companies with clear visions need successful ambitious people who can 'live the vision' for both business and themselves and who see that the two go hand in hand. Successful operations result not from working harder but from working more effectively, which in turn is the result not of individual efforts, but of the system in which the individuals work. Group success won by raising the performance of the system automatically increases the success of group members. The analogy with a sports team is self-evident. Buying an expensive star won't make a bad football team good, but a good side, with a shared vision of excellent performance and how to achieve it, turns mediocre players into star performers.

The importance of group vision doesn't diminish the individual role but enhances it. A system in which individuals can correct defects and suggest improvements, including the vision and its fulfilment, will have higher performance and more satisfied, better-motivated people, than one in which they are confined to obeying orders from on high. The philosophy hinges on releasing the initiative and ability of companies, teams and individuals to perform better, and to go on raising their game — in short, to make progress, a word conveying the essence of true success and the power of true vision. Not everyone can come first, but anyone can advance closer to important goals, and having reached them can pitch their vision higher still. For companies, teams and individuals, success is never total, for progress can always be made.