Скачать или смотреть How to Sell a Vision Before It’s Real

Social impact leaders are visionaries — but getting others to see what you see isn’t easy. When your work hasn’t caught up to your ambitions, how do you win over funders, staff, and partners who need proof before they commit?
In this episode, Eric and Jonathan explore what it really takes to sell a bold new vision — even when the work is still taking shape.
➔ Why internal conviction is the first — and most underrated — step to building external trust.
➔ How to frame your future vision when your current reality doesn’t match it (yet).
➔ The power of showing instead of telling — and what that looks like with no budget.
➔ Why funders are often more excited by possibility than proof — and how to use that to your advantage.
➔ A real-world playbook for prototyping your vision, building buy-in, and navigating the messy middle.
If you're leading through change, launching something new, or reinventing your organization’s direction, this conversation will help you craft a message that inspires belief — before the results are in.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to sell what’s possible.


We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at [email protected]

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.


Episode Highlights:
[00:00] The Nature of Vision
[01:12] Work vs. Vision Gap
[02:13] Where Most Leaders Are
[05:13] Vision Statements ≠ Vision
[07:02] Selling Internally First
[11:48] Transparency Builds Buy-In
[14:48] Why Risk Matters
[18:35] Reframing Climate Messaging
[19:56] Show, Don’t Tell
[24:17] Vision as a Moving Target
[28:42] Patience Meets Persistence
[32:27] What Not to Break


Quotes:
"It's a vision of a new way of what could be, but what is not yet true." – Eric Ressler

"You as the executive… you really, truly, deeply in yourself believe in the potential." – Jonathan Hicken

"Vision and mission statements sometimes get an outsized amount of attention… I'd rather see more time on having a compelling vision." – Eric Ressler

"The single best way to sell a vision when you’re not delivering yet? Start prototyping." – Jonathan Hicken

"Move fast and break things is not a good social impact strategy." – Eric Ressler


Resources:
Article - How Your Purpose, Vision, and Mission Can Guide Better Brand Storytelling: https://designbycosmic.com/insights/a...

Podcast - How to Stop Planning and Start Doing: https://designbycosmic.com/podcast/se...