Vision before Structure [Leading Forward]

March 23, 2026  |  By Kyra Shahid 
Part of the "Leading Forward: Leadership Insights with Dr. Kyra" blog series

Have you ever tried to build a playlist without knowing the vibe you want to create?

You start adding songs…
A little R&B.
Some trap or ole skool rap. K-Pop.
That song you heard in the store the other day.
Maybe a throwback. 
Then somehow a sad acoustic track sneaks in.
Technically, it’s organized. But it doesn’t feel right.

Why?

Because you chose songs before you chose the mood. Before you set an intention. 

That’s what happens when we build structure before vision. In times of change – new semesters, new leadership, new collaborations – there’s pressure to figure out logistics first:

Who reports to who? What are the roles? What’s the schedule? What’s the format? But structure without vision is just a random playlist. And if you’ve been in Trotter you know a random song in the lobby can change the whole mood!

As our offices merge, it’s tempting to dive right into logistics. But before we build new structures, we have to set our collective vision. What ‘vibe’ do we want Trotter/MESA to embody for all who walk through our doors?

Vision is the vibe.
Structure is the track list.

If you don’t know the vibe, you can’t choose the right songs. If you don’t know the purpose, you can’t build the right system. This applies to organizations. It applies to friend groups. It applies to your life. Some of us are building resumes without knowing the life we want. Adding activities without asking what kind of impact we care about. Choosing structure before choosing direction.

Vision doesn’t answer every detail. It answers the deeper question: What are we trying to create?

Once we know that, structure becomes easier. Clearer. Lighter. Consider this:

• What’s the “vibe” you’re trying to create in your life right now?
• Where have you been adding structure without first naming your vision?

Before you build the playlist, choose the mood. Transitions offer us a rare chance to choose intention over habit, vision over routine. Let’s use this moment to imagine together before we organize. What vision are you working towards this week?

Have some songs you want to contribute to the playlist for our space? Add to the Trotter/MESA vibe!

— Know who you are. Then Lead Forward.

Dr. Kyra